Balochistan Downpour: Rain brings joy in plains, woes in cities

QUETTA: Thundershowers and rain lashed the provincial capital with unusual ferocity on Thursday after the seasonal system entered Balochistan from neighbouring Iran. The rainfall in Quetta was measured at 30mm. Many areas of the city were inundated and the newly laid sewerage system was left at the mercy of the elements, exposing the incompetence of the local government.

People in Gwadar, Mastung, Kalat, Khuzdar, Sibi, Nushki, Chaghi, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Zhob, Pishin, Chaman and other areas of Balochistan were rejoicing over the continued wet spell that has ended months of drought. According to Shakeel Baloch, the XEN of Public Health Engineering in Gwadar, rain has replenished the water supply in Ankara, Bela and Shaadicor dams. Same was the case of other parched districts of the province. However, the rain swept away dozens of homes and left people stranded.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11^th, 2016.