Emergency declared in Balochistan hospitals
Balochistan Health Department declared emergency in all hospitals due to heavy monsoon rains leading to floods across the province.
The provincial Parliamentary Secretary for Health Dr Rubab Buledi maintained hospitals managements were directed to ensure attendance of medical and paramedical staff. She directed programme heads, divisional and district officers and medical superintendents of Balochistan health department to finalise measures regarding the prevailing situation across the province.
Buledi has also issued directives for divisional directors,district health officers, medical superintendents and programme heads to monitor the steps for emergency situations.
Death toll rises to 10
Monsoon rains in Balochistan continue to trigger floods in several districts, killing at least 10 people in three days. Quetta-Karachi Highway in Bolan partially restored, but other pipelines affected by floods could not be repaired.
Heavy rains continue to wreak havoc in Balochistan, as two more people died on Monday while Quetta’s land connection with Punjab and Sindh is restored partially, which was cut off due to the collapse of Bibi Nani Bridge connecting Quetta-Sibi Highway.
The national highway in Bolan was severely damaged in many places due to floods and hundreds of vehicles and passengers were stranded. However, FC and Levies personnel conducted an operation to rescue the stranded travellers on both sides of the Bibi Nani Ziarat Bridge.
At least 861 houses in Balochistan are reportedly destroyed completely or partially, including 700 in Jaffarabad, while four highways,two bridges are severely damaged in the last three days in different areas of Balochistan.
Moreover, at least eight people stuck in a deluge in Gazzak area of Kalat, were rescued by the locals, after continued efforts. Heavy rains on the third consecutive day caused more floods in Harnai, as the city remains disconnected from other areas.
Over 70 tourists are still stuck in different areas of Khuzdar, due to continuous flooding while 37 among them have been taken into several houses. Rescue operation was initiated to bring back 30 people.
According to deatils, the water level in Hub Dam continues to rise, as administration takes measures in case of overflow.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 11th, 2020.