Death toll in flash floods reaches 57

QUETTA:

The death toll in Balochistan’s torrential rains and subsequent flash floods touched 57 mark on Friday as four more bodies were recovered.

A well-placed officer at the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said most of the casualties had been reported from Quetta, Barkhan, Pishin, Kohlu, Bolan and Zhob districts of Balochistan.

He requested anonymity since he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Heavy downpour and flash floods played havoc in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan during the last five days.

Dozens of people have suffered injuries too. Most of the injured were admitted to the Civil Hospital Quetta for treatment where some of them are said to be critical.

An emergency has been declared in all government-run hospitals in all affected districts of the province.

“Expedite relief and rescue operation has been underway throughout the province,” Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Quddus Bizenjo said, directing departments to speed up their activities.

Bizenjo chaired a high-level meeting on Friday to review the rescue and relief operation in the province.

The floods and torrential rains have also damaged over 673 mud houses in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan, a PDMA release shared with journalists revealed.

Rains have left thousands of people homeless in Quetta and other districts.

Flash floods have also swept away small bridges, and delay and check dams across Balochistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2022.