Downpour leaves life paralysed in coastal areas

QUETTA:

A new rain system is present in the southern parts of Balochistan causing torrential rains in the coastal towns including Gwadar and Kech since last night. This disrupted day to day life in these parts.

Gwadar and Kech districts of Makran Division received intermittent rains with thunderstorms as rainwater has swamped the low-lying areas in different parts of the two districts thus disrupting power supply.

Local residents told The Express Tribune that water entered different parts of Gwadar city, turning life miserable for the local inhabitants as it submerged houses and vehicles parked on roads.

On the other hand, rainwater has also submerged parts of Makran Coastal Highway.

Heavy rains coupled with strong winds continued till morning in Gwadar and surrounding areas. After the rains, drainage system in the city also collapsed. Torrential rainfall in Gwadar started last night and continued till early morning.

Sarbandan, Nagur Sharif, Peshkan and Pasni areas also received heavy downpour, flooding low lying areas there too.

The highest rainfall of 70 mm was recorded in Pasni.

MPA Hamal Kalmati said that Gwadar city has been completely flooded as dozens of houses and government buildings have been damaged. He added that power supply has been suspended.

He along with deputy commissioner visited Gwadar city and assessed the scope of damage.

He appealed all the departments to help local residents on emergency basis. He demanded that Gwadar should be declared a calamity hit area.

According to the Meteorological Department, a westerly rain system is present in Balochistan resulting in heavy downpour.

Around 57 mm rainfall was recorded in Gwadar, 27 mm in Ormara, 24 mm in Kech and Jwani, eight mm in Quetta, four mm in Kalat and three mm in Khuzdar, Dalbadin and Panjgur.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2022.