Floods leave Balochistan disconnected

The devastating rains have destroyed roads and cut land connectivity

QUETTA:

A new powerful monsoon system has disconnected Balochistan from the rest of the country, causing flash floods and broken bridges, and heavy rainfall which has washed away communication roads of the province.

According to Express News, intermittent rains are continuing in Chaman due to which the villages of Spina Tiza and Ghojai have been disconnected for the past three days.

The devastating rains have not only damaged roads and cut land connectivity in the city but flooding in storm drains has also caused internet and mobile network outage.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) stated a strong monsoon system is spreading to south-central and western Balochistan and warned of heavy rainfall and strong winds.

According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) rain claimed the lives of four more children in the last 24 hours.

Local authorities reported land connectivity with the village of Kahan has been disrupted for the past 18 days.

Gas supply has also been suspended to parts of Balochistan as flooding in Bolan River washed away 12-inch gas pipeline in Bolan district on Thursday.

“Incessant rain and hilly torrents have swept away alternate gas pipeline causing gas suspension to the areas including Quetta, Pishin, Mastung, Kalat,” SSGC spokesman Salman Siddiqui said.

Floods had damaged 24-inch pipeline passing under the riverbed near Bibi Nani on 19 August, 2022 following that SSGC had restored gas supply to the affected districts from an alternate pipeline of 12 inch but it has also been damaged in floods.

Soon after the incident, SSGC launched repair work, however due to continuous rains and flooding, the damaged gas pipeline could not be repaired.

“Company regrets its consumers for inconvenience caused by the suspension of gas supply,” the gas utility spokesman said, requesting people to arrange alternate sources of gas.

Around 180 trapped people have been rescued by boats in various villages of Manjhushoori area of Nasirabad district, more people are being rescued and shifted to safe places.

The process of distributing ration was also going on. In the first phase, old people, women and children are being evacuated. District administration is trying to evacuate others to safe places as soon as possible.

FC Colonel Ahmed Khan and his entire team’s efforts are commendable.

These views were expressed by Deputy Commissioner Nasirabad Muhammad Hussain while talking during the rescue operation in Manjhushoori.

On this occasion, FC 72 Wing Commander Colonel Ahmed Khan and tehsil administration officials were present.

Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Hussain said that due to the rain, the district administration was facing difficulties in the rehabilitation work including relief to the flood victims, but their morale was not down they were still serving the people with the same enthusiasm in difficult times. He said that at present the teams of PDMA and FC along with the district administration are evacuating the trapped people and two boats were engaged in the rescue operation.

The DC said that the process of distribution of tent ration to the flood victims was also going on, people were facing difficulties due to heavy rains saying that more tents and rations were being ordered. Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner Chithar Khadim Hussain Khosa along with his other staff is conducting a survey regarding the distribution of tent and rations to the victims who have not received tent rations as soon as possible, the supply of goods should be started.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2022.