Heavy Balochistan rains claim five lives

CM orders relief efforts, says dwellers of low-lying areas should be shifted elsewhere

QUETTA:

At least five people, including two women, were killed and over a dozen injured during heavy rainfall in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan.

The heavy downpour started early in the morning and continued with intervals in various localities of the provincial capital. The rain also inundated almost all main roads resulting in traffic jams on the roads.

"Rains-related incidents killed five people in Quetta," Naseer Ahmed Nasar, the director general of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), said. The incident happened when a mud-walled house collapsed within the premises of Link Badini Road.

"Two women are also among the dead," Nasar added.

The provincial government has put all departments on high alert to cope with the situation in the aftermath of the heavy rainfall in Quetta and other parts of the province.

Rainfall also damaged over 300 mud-walled homes in Sariab, Customs, Pashtoonabad, Nawan Killi, and other neighborhoods of Quetta. "Our teams are engaged in hectic efforts to support the affected people," Muhamamd Faisal Panezai, the director of PDMA, said.

Due to the rainfall, citizens experienced power outages that lasted for over six hours. "Our teams are continuously working to address the power supply issue,” the Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco) spokesperson said.

Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo took notice of the rainfall and the death of five people, directing the quarters concerned to expedite their efforts to support the people.

"The administration and PDMA officials should reach all affected areas," Bizenjo said in a statement. "The population of low-lying areas should be shifted to safer places."

Quetta Deputy Commissioner Mir Shehak Baloch and other administration officials reached Link Badini Road and other affected areas to support the rain-affected people.

Besides Quetta, Khuzdar, Harnai, Kohlu, Barkah, Pishin, Killa Abdullah and other parts of Balochistan also received heavy rainfall. The provincial government has directed the deputy commissioners of the concerned districts to remain vigilant to tackle any emergency situation.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had predicted that rain-thunderstorm with a few heavy falls was expected in Quetta, Zhob, Dalbandin, Nokundi, Noshki, Qilla Saifullah, Mastung, Kalat and Coastal belt (Gwadar, Pasni and Ormara), warning that it may damage vulnerable structures.

It also warned that sea conditions may also get worse from July 3 to 5, urging fishermen on the coastal belt to take extra care.

 

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