Heavy rains: More bad weather expected in Balochistan

QUETTA: Heavy rains lashed major parts of Balochistan on Saturday, paralysing routine life by cutting power supplies. Heavy showers and snowfall also caused traffic disruption between different districts in the province.

The meteorological department said more rains may generate flash floods in the seasonal rivers of Mekran and Sibi divisions. Emergency control rooms have also been set up in these areas.

According to the meteorological office, Quetta received 18.8 millimetres of rain while Dalbandin received 20 millimetres, Nukundi 15 millimetres, Zhob eight millimetres and Kalat 10 millimetres of rain. The Met office predicted more rain in Balochistan over the next 24 hours. Khanmitarzai, Tuba Kakri received one and a half feet of snowfall.

“We have formed two teams and set up a control room in the Levies Thana, Turbat to monitor the situation in the Mekran division,” Deputy Commissioner Kech Tariq Qamar Baloch said. He said that all precautionary measures have been adopted.

The road link between Quetta, Chaman and Ziarat was disrupted due to the heavy snowfall. The Khojak Top, a mountainous route connecting Quetta to Chaman, was covered with heavy snow, halting logistic support to Nato forces stationed in Afghanistan.

Low intensity flash floods were also generated in some seasonal rivers in the Mashkey and Mekran divisions. The flow of traffic between Mashkey and Chagai areas remained disrupted Saturday because of the heavy downpour.

Most of the roads in Quetta were overflowing with rain water due to a poor sewerage and drainage system, causing inconvenience for commuters and passers-by.

Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani directed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to stay alert owing to the widespread rains over major parts of Balochistan.

Tents, blankets and food pickets were also dispatched to Kila Abdullah and some other districts stated a handout issued by the provincial government.

“People downstream have been shifted to higher places in official vehicles,” Shah Hussain, a resident of Chaman, told The Express Tribune.

Widespread rains continued till late Saturday night in the northern areas including Quetta, Pishin, Killa Abdullah, Mastung, Sibi, Kalat, Ziarat and Bolan districts and some southwestern areas, such as Turbat, Panjgur and Kharan districts. The weather conditions are likely to remain the same today (Sunday).

Power and gas supplies to these districts have already been suspended for the past few days, making life more difficult for the locals. Some districts have no gas or power at all.

There have been some reports regarding partial damages to the mud houses in Dalbandin, Nukundi and Sibi areas. However, no casualties or major damages were reported from any area till the filing of this report.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13^th, 2011.