Massive relief and rescue operations under way in Balochistan

QUETTA:

A massive rescue and relief operation was under way in Balochistan following heavy torrential rains in the province that killed dozens and injured several others in the last three days, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA officials said on Wednesday.

Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove chaired a high-level meeting at the PDMA office to review the rescue and relief operations. The meeting received a briefing from the PDMA about the hectic relief efforts.

The meeting was attended by PDMA Director General Naseer Ahmed Nasar, Acting Speaker Balochistan Assembly Sardar Babar Musakhail, former minister Nawab Ayaz Jogezai and senior officials.

The meeting was informed that all of the injured people in various rain-related incidents had been admitted to different hospitals in the province. The government had declared emergency in all government-run hospitals.

“Rescue and relief operations are under way in floods-affected districts of Balochistan”, Langove told The Express Tribune after the meeting. “The next 24 hours are crucial and we are expecting more rainfall”, the minister added. He appreciated the PDMA’s relief efforts.

However, some residents of the Muhammad Shahi Town complained about the lack of relief items. “We have only received one blanket each,” Ghulam Murtaza, an elderly resident told The Express Tribune. He said rains and flash floods damaged 25 houses in the town.

Most of the affected people demanded tents, blankets and food items. “We also need medicines as our women and children are suffering from illnesses, Shakirullah, another young man demanded.

Torrential rains and flash floods played havoc in Balochistan’s Qilla Saifullah, Mastung, Bolan, and Jaffarabad districts. Flash floods also swept away bridges and delay and check dams in all affected areas of Balochistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 7^th, 2022.