Gwadar declared ‘disaster zone’ after heavy rains

The caretaker Balochistan government on Thursday imposed an emergency in Gwadar and declared it a disaster zone after heavy rains triggered devastating flash floods in the coastal city.

In a statement, Balochistan caretaker Information Jan Achakzai said the provincial government had decided to declare Gwadar calamity-hit and impose an emergency, acknowledging the severity of the situation.

According to Achakzai, caretaker Balochistan Chief Minister Ali Mardan Khan Domki has already signed a summary for this purpose and a notification will be issued soon.

He added that the interim CM would personally monitor relief activities in all the rain-hit areas of the province.

Following the devastating flash floods in Gwadar, triggered by heavy rainfall that lashed the area for several hours and left thousands of residents homeless as well as in dire need of assistance as the downpour caused widespread destruction, Haq Do Tehreek Balochistan (HDTB) chief Maulana Hidayatur Rehman, who won the election for PB-24, on Thursday reached the coastal city -- where his constituency was located -- to coordinate rescue operations.

The torrential downpours not only inundated residential areas but also disrupted essential services including the power supply and already strained sewerage system, adding to the miseries of the locals.

With the situation growing increasingly dire, urgent measures are being taken to provide shelter, food, and medical aid to those affected by the calamity.

The rainwater inundated the streets of Gwadar with an alarming depth of six to seven feet.

According to officials, Gwadar district received over 180 millimetres of rainfall over the past two days.
The coastal highway connecting Karachi with Gwadar was damaged because of the heavy rainfall, disrupting vehicular traffic.

The impact of the flash floods has reverberated beyond Gwadar, with heavy rainfall also battering Quetta and other parts of Balochistan

In the statement, the interim provincial information minister said relief and rescue operations were under way in coastal areas hit by heavy rains.

“Teams of the district administration, army, navy, Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Levies and National Disaster Management Authority are working day and night in Gwadar, Ormara, Pasni and other areas,” he added.

He continued that all available resources were being used to drain the accumulated rainwater and for the well-being of the affected population.

Achakzai expressed concerns about the major damage to Gwadar’s fundamental infrastructure because of the continuous rains.

“According to the latest information, two out of six disconnected roads from Gwadar city have been restored, and around 300 individuals have been safely relocated,” he maintained.

He added that around 80 boats had been dispatched to the area for evacuation.

“Assessments are being conducted in the area to determine the extent of damage,” the statement read.

Separately, caretaker CM Domki said that rescue operations were under way in the rain-hit areas with the help of the army.

In a statement, he observed that an “unusual and disastrous situation” had emerged because of the heavy downpours.

In light of the adverse weather conditions, the Balochistan education department has taken the proactive step of ordering the closure of all private and government-run schools across the province, prioritising the safety of students and staff.

Relentless rainfall and hail continued to lash Gwadar and its surrounding areas, compounding the challenges faced by rescue teams and exacerbating the plight of the affected population.

Furthermore, the rains in Nagor have led to the breach of protective dams, exacerbating the already precarious situation.
Amid the devastation, efforts are under way to provide relief and assistance to those grappling with the aftermath of the flash floods.

The solidarity and swift action demonstrated by MPA Hidayatur Rehman and other stakeholders underscore the resilience and compassion of the Pakistani people in times of adversity.