Rain disrupts life in Quetta

Citizens face major traffic jams, power breakdown

QUETTA: Heavy rain and hailstorm disrupted life in Quetta causing major traffic jams and power breakdowns. Heaps of garbage and ineffective sewerage system also created problems for the citizens.

Different areas of Balochistan, including Quetta, Harnai, and Kalat, Chagai received heavy rain with thunderstorms and lightning on Saturday, according to predictions of the Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD).

Due to the accumulation of dirty water on the roads, citizens were unable to travel through main highways. Piles of garbage further complicated the situation.

During the rain, water gathered on main arteries – Prince Road, Jinnah Road, Zarghoon Road, Qandhhari Bazar, Kansi Road, Bacha Khan Chowk, Liaqat Bazar, Masjid Road – due to accumulation of debris in sewerage lines.

Garrison city lashed by heavy rains

The traffic jams caused problems for the citizens, making many areas inaccessible. The power failure also added to their woes.

JUI (Nazriyati) leader Haji Abdul Sattar Chishti, rejecting the claims of Metropolitan Corporation, said it takes practical measures to ensure cleanliness and not mere claims. Different public groups urged Metropolitan Corporation to open nullah to avoid sewerage problems.

People criticised the authorities for lack of proper measures. They said if steps had been taken earlier, the situation would not have aggravated.  The havoc from light rain, power breakdown and the public suffering is condemnable, they said.

The Metropolitan Department officials directed the staff to open nullahs in different areas of the city on an emergency basis. The citizens also stepped up efforts to open the blocked sewerage lines on their own.

Met dept predicts more rain for Karachi

In the provincial capital, heavy rain with hailstorm has turned the weather chilly. This was also the first rain of autumn, which suggests winter is round the corner. In Balochistan's Harnai district, heavy rains caused minor floods, while in Qilla Saifullah, hail storm turned the weather cold.

Duki and Mach districts received heavy rain with lighting, while there was a thunderstorm in Chagai. The PMD has forecasted widespread rain and wind/ thunderstorms in all districts of Balochistan and Sindh.

Isolated hail-storms are also expected at few places along with heavy rainfall in central and southern districts of Balochistan. The Met Office has also issued a warning that the downpour may generate flash flooding in southern districts of the province.

(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP)

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2019.