CLIMATE

The climate of the district is generally dry. Fairly arid climate prevails in the Quetta valley. The district is situated at an altitude of 1,700 meter. Therefore, the weather is extremely dry. The winter is very cold and the minimum temperature ranges between -15 to -7 degree Celsius.

Summer is relatively mild and the maximum temperature ranges between 32 to 35 degree Celsius; July is generally the hottest month. The district lies outside the range of the monsoon currents and the rainfall is scanty and irregular. The average annual rainfall for Quetta city is 226 mm, whereas in the Hanna area, the average is about 312 mm. In the spring and summer seasons there is very little rainfall. The heaviest rainfall and snowfall occurs in January and February. 

Household Size

                        The average  household size for the district is 8.5 persons in 1998. The household size varies at 8.9 and 8.3 for rural and urban areas respectively.

Annual Mean Rainfall

According to the information supplied by the Meteorological Department, the total annual mean rainfall during 1983 -95 has been 308.2 mm, ranging from 143.2 mm in the month of June to 68.5 mm in the month of March.

Annual Mean Temperatur 

The average maximum annual temperature during 1983-95 has been 24.5 ºC, ranging from 11.36 to 35.9 ºC. The average minimum annual temperature has been 8.5 ºC during the above mentioned period ranging from -0.7 to 20.5 ºC .

Soils

Physiographically, the soils of Quetta district may be described by four main units i.e. (1) Piedmont plains (very deep and well drained soil) (2) Piedmont basins (4) Salinity and Alkalinity (3) Gravelly piedmont fans and aprons bordering the mountains and loess plains. Each physiolographic unit is different in parent material

The central part of the Quetta valley is covered by a soil that ranges from sandy loam to silt loam. This type of soil is good for crop production. At the margin of the valley near foothills, the soil consists of sandy loam, mixed with pebbles and rock fragments and is suitable for vegetation.

In the Hanna valley, the greater part of the valley floor is covered by barren rock out crops of low relief and dry mala bed, the soil is restricted to the narrow banks and low terraces along the main stream. This type of soil is highly suitable for orchards. The soil of Panjpai plain is alluvial and the skirts of the hills are stony which are suitable for crops but due to scarcity of water, the area potential of agricultural production is not fully exploited.

However, the nature of soil in Baleli is silty clay which is not suitable for cultivation. Similarly the Chiltan surface has soils that are predominantly gravelly loams. The vegetation on these soils is mainly Haloxylon which provide poor grazing for livestock. In the Sra Khulla and Ghundak Rud valleys, there is hardly any soil cover, therefore it bears a very thin and scattered growth of wild bushes and shrubs.

As for soil erosion, both stream erosion of soil and wind erosion are occurring in the district. The stream erosion takes place in the piedmont plain along the banks and beds of streams. Such streams are Sariab Lora, Hanna river and Habib Nalla near Hudda. The wind erosion occurs in the valley floor where the material of soil is mostly clay and silt.

Minerals

Three mineral resources, coal, limestone and building stone are found in the district. The coal mining activity has been in operation at Sorange for the past hundred years. Only male labour is involved in its production and marketing. It is marketed through

middle men (commission agents) who transport it to the Sindh and Punjab where it is mostly used in Brick kilns. Private sector is actively involved in the mining sector. According to the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP), the district has bright potential for coal production. What is needed is a comprehensive survey.

Also new technology and safety measures should be applied in the mining sector. However, its exploitation is becoming more difficult and expensive as the base of coal reserve is horizontal and narrow. Similarly there is also scope for limestone which is mostly used in the cement industry.

Vegetation

Quetta district is sparsely covered with vegetation. A variety of species is found on the hills and areas surrounding the hills. On the hills, Artemisia Maritima is the most prevalent followed by Cymbopogon, Chrysopogoneri, Nepeta Juncea and Astragalus Stocksic. However, in the protected areas like Hazagunji and Karkhasa, cymbopogon is more common. The vegetation cover is quite high in the protected areas as compared to unprotected areas. This is simply because of absence of disturbance of humans and

animals. The reserved range land like Hazagunji, Karkhasa, Wali Tangi and Chiltan has plenty of vegetation while in free range areas, vegetation is scarce.

Various types of vegetation have economic characteristics; Artemisia is used for medicinal purpose, while salt vegetation found in Ghaza and Karak is a source of salt for the livestock. Shkarai, Andropogo and Artemisia are also used as fodder for the animals. Pistachia, which is found in the Zarghoon hills is eaten by small ruminants. Some of the vegetation like camelarom, Juniper and Pistachio trees are used for fuel purpose.

Energy

The major sources of energy can be classified as energy for light purpose and energy for fuel purpose. The main sources of light are electricity, gas and kerosene oil, whereas major sources of fuel are gas, electricity, cylinder gas, kerosene oil, wood and animal dung.

Data are not available to indicate export/import of energy. However, the number of consumer connections, for electricity and for gas are available. Total electricity connections are 152,364, out of which 93,347 are domestic followed by commercial connections (54.499). Agricultural connections are 3,424, while 1,094 are industrial connections.

Total gas connections are 72,867 of which 71,188 are domestic followed by 1,613 commercial and 66 industrial connections. Among other sources of energy, fuel wood, cylinder gas and animal dung are the most important.

Environment

Deteriorating environment is a major issue in the district. The main environmental problems include (i) Air Pollution (ii) Water scarcity (iii) Defective drainage and sewerage system (iv) Deforestation (v) In-efficiencies in the management of solid waste.

Air pollution, especially in Quetta City , is the number one problem. The atmosphere in the city is so polluted that thick layers of the lethal gases like carbon - dioxide, lead particles, unburned hydro- carbons always exist in the environment.

Air pollution in and around Quetta city is mainly caused by the rapidly increasing number of vehicles, especially the smoke emitted from riksha exhausts. The other factors directly responsible for such a situation are a defective traffic management system and limited road space.

As far as industrial pollution is concerned, brown pollution is non-existent due to absence of big industries. However, thick black smoke can easily be seen in and around the localities of the district. This type of pollution is emitted from power stations and brick kilns.

With regard to grey pollution, in the areas where gas connections have not been provided so far, grey pollution exists, because people use wood and animal dung for fuel purposes.

Solid waste in the Municipal area is disposed of in the following ways:

a)  Garbage and rubbish are collected in drains at household level.

b)  Then it is brought out either by family member or by sweepers to the road dust bin.

c)  Dust bins are emptied by the permanent labour of Municipal Corporation and taken out by trucks and tractors. There are 1000 permanent labourers, 22 trucks and three tractors for this purpose.

d)  The dust bins are disposed of in the trenching rooms, 16 Km away from Quetta . They are auctioned by the Corporation every three months.

Water scarcity is another major problem in the district. According to WHO estimates Quetta will run out of water within eight years if further supplies are not found. Population growth and deficiencies in the management of water can be held responsible for shortage of water. Similarly the sewerage and drainage system is inadequate. In the villages and Kachi Abadies in and around the city, there are no drains. Puddles of waste water can easily be seen everywhere.

Forest reserves of Hanna, Urak and Zarghoon are declining due to poor supervision of Forest Department.