Seven killed in rain-related incidents in Balochistan

Provincial govt declares urban flooding emergency after most parts of Quetta flooded

QUETTA:

The death toll rose to seven in rain-related incidents in various parts of Balochistan on Monday evening, officials said.

Shahid Rind, a spokesperson for the government of Balochistan, addressing a press conference, stated that five people were killed as a result of lightning, and two were killed due to a house collapse incident.

The incidents occurred in Sorab, Killa Saifullah, Killa Abdullah, and other parts of Balochistan. The provincial government declared an urban flooding emergency after most parts of Quetta were flooded.

"We have declared an emergency and put all institutions on high alert to tackle the situation," Rind told reporters at the office of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

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He mentioned that the urban flood emergency was imposed in the province during a meeting chaired by Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti.

Government and private schools across Balochistan remained closed on Monday and would remain closed on Tuesday in all districts affected by floods and rains.

Most schools in Gwadar, Pasni, and other parts of the province were flooded after heavy rainfall, rendering the students unable to enter their schools.

CM Bugti also expressed dismay over the absence of senior officers in Quetta. In this regard, the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister issued a letter of displeasure to the deputy commissioner of Quetta for his absence during the flood emergency.

Flash floods unleashed by heavy rainfall damaged a large number of mud-walled houses and buildings in different parts of the province. Floods have also washed away small bridges and roads in rural Balochistan, leading to the suspension of traffic.

The government has also cancelled all leaves of government officers and directed them to ensure their presence in offices to tackle the situation.