Rains leave 11 dead in Balochistan

Flash floods inflict widespread damage on farmlands

QUETTA:

At least 11 people have been killed and 21 injured in rain-related incidents in the past three days across Balochistan.

As per the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), rains and subsequent flash floods have claimed lives in Dukki, Harnai, Sibi, Zhob, and other parts of Balochistan.

The PDMA, however, said that there is no rain forecast in the province in the near future as the current spell is over.

Rescue workers and district administrations have shifted the injured to nearby basic health units (BHUs) for treatment.

“All injured are stable now and out of harm’s way,” Naseer Ahmed Nasar, the Director-General Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said.

He said all departments had been put on high alert to tackle any emergency situation.

During the last three days, all eastern and northern Balochistan districts received heavy downpour.

Torrential rains have severely affected daily life.

The Balochistan government has directed the deputy commissioners of the affected districts to assess the extent of damage to the farmlands and submit a report in this regard.

“Torrential rains have also killed around 366 cattle in the province,” the DG PDMA said.

He added that flash floods have also destroyed crops of tomatoes, potatoes, and other vegetables in Barkhan, Harnai and other parts of the province. Rains inflicted large scale damage on the farmlands.

The Growers Action Committee (GAC) has demanded that the provincial government should compensate the farmers who have suffered financial losses because of heavy rainfall.

“Provincial government should assess the damages and compensate the farmers,” Haji Abdul Rehman Bazai, member of GAC observed.

The GAC has threatened to further prolong its protest against the government if it failed to pay compensation to the farmers.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th, 2022.