Rains wreak havoc in Gwadar

Up to seven feet of water inundates streets

QUETTA:

The coastal city of Gwadar was submerged following heavy rainfall spanning over 16 hours, resulting in a deluge that inundated the streets with an alarming depth of six to seven feet.

The downpour wreaked havoc on the city's infrastructure, disrupting the already strained sewerage system and leaving its inhabitants grappling with the harsh reality of a paralysed existence.

"We demand of the government to ensure the launching of an immediate rescue operation," Senator Khoda Babar of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) said.

Babar said a large number of people were stranded and shelterless in the port city of the country.
The once bustling streets now resemble waterways as boats, intended for leisurely rides, now lie sunken reminders of the city's plight.

Adding to the woes, the city plunged into darkness as torrential rains also disrupted the power supply, further exacerbating the crisis.

Tragically, the fury of nature claimed seven houses, their structures unable to withstand the force of the inundation.

Maulana Hidayatur Rehman, a member of the provincial assembly, described the situation as one of utter paralysis, with residents left shelterless and helpless amid the chaos.

In response to the crisis, a frantic rescue operation is under way, striving to provide relief to the beleaguered populace and restore a semblance of normalcy to the inundated city.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast torrential rainfall and heavy snowfall in various parts of the country from Feb 29 to March 2.

The PMD has forecast torrential rainfall/heavy snowfall with windstorm/thunderstorms and isolated hailstorm in most parts of the country during the period.

The PMD has warned that heavy rainfall may generate flash floods/heavy snowfall may disrupt daily life in vulnerable areas.

A strong westerly wave was likely to approach western parts on Feb 29 and may grip most parts of the country on March 1 and persist till March 2.

Under the influence of this weather system, widespread heavy rain with windstorm/thunderstorm (snowfall over the hills) is expected in Balochistan from Feb 29 to March 1.

Isolated hailstorm is also likely during the period.

In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, heavy to extremely heavy widespread rain with windstorm/thunderstorm with heavy snowfall over the hills is expected from Feb 29 to March 3. Isolated hailstorm is also likely during the period.

In Gilgit-Baltistan/Kashmir, heavy to extremely heavy widespread rain with windstorm/thunderstorm and snowfall is expected from Feb 29 to March 3. Isolated hailstorm is also likely during the period.

In Punjab/Islamabad, widespread heavy rain with windstorm/thunderstorm is expected on March 1 and 2. Heavy snowfall is also expected in Murree, Galliyat and surrounding areas during the period.

In Sindh, rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected in Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Larkana, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad Karachi,

Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Khairpur and Mirpurkhas on Feb 29 and March 1. (With input from app)