Phet system inundates Balochistan coast

With the Phet weather system expected to make landfall on Sunday morning near Karachi, its effects have already wreaked havoc along the Balochistan coast.

Though weakened, under the influence of Cyclone Phet, rain poured down on Gwadar to the tune of 370 millimeters (14.8 inches) on Saturday over a matter of a few hours. Other coastal areas of Balochistan were also badly hit, including Jiwani 208 mm (8.3 inches), Pasni 127 mm (5 inches) and Turbat 63 mm (2.5 inches), according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department.

The exact extent of the damage is still unclear, but a state of paralysis was being reported in the province’s coastal areas with communication networks reportedly having taken a major hit.  People living along seasonal rivers fled their homes to higher ground as fears spread of massive flooding, along the lines of the 2007 flooding. The newly-constructed Bund of Shadi Kaur is once again faced with the possibility of bursting its banks following the heavy downpour. In 2007, cyclone and torrential rains caused the dike to burst, devastating the entire downstream area. Hundreds of small fishing boats have been washed away with the high tides.

According to Hassan Baloch, Director-General of Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Cyclone Phet will affect over 500,000 people living in Gwadar, Pasni, Ormara, Sonmiani and other parts of Balochistan.

“More rains, heavy to very heavy, accompanied with strong gusts of winds are expected in Balochistan during the next 24 hours. Sindh is also expected to receive widespread heavy rainfall during the next two days starting from Saturday evening and gradually increasing afterwards,” said the cyclone warning issued by the Met Office.

Phet will bring with it maximum sustained winds 60-80 kilometres an hour, gusting to 100 Km/hour, the Met office said.

Chief Minister of Balochistan Nawab Aslam Khan Raisani announced on Saturday the immediate release of Rs 50 million for the relief and rehabilitation of those affected by Cyclone Phet along the coastal areas of the province.

In Sindh, authorities were bracing for a similar effect in the province. With evacuations of people in Thatta and Badin in full flow, Online news agency reported that the Sindh government has declared the five tehsils of Thatta district as ‘calamity-hit areas’ on Saturday. Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah during a visit to the coastal areas announced Rs 2.5 million for the potential victims.

After the amount of rain reported in Gwadar, the Sindh CM ordered the immediate evacuation of the residents of Keti Bandar. The affectees are being taken to Mirpur Sakro in trucks.

The Rangers have been called in to transport the fishermen living at Thatta’s coastal areas to safer places, as these fishermen declined to be relocated. At least 31 relief centres have been established for Thatta people. (with reporting from our correspondent/agencies)

Published in the Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2010.