Quetta: As many as seven people were killed, and four others injured after rains and flash floods caused widespread devastation in Pakistan’s Balochistan, destroying hundreds of homes, livestock and crops, local media reported on Friday.
The floods have severely impacted districts, including Kach¬¬hi, Nasirabad, Jhal Magsi, Dera Bugti, Sibi, Harnai, Kohlu, Turbat, Jaffarabad, Loralai, and Bolan.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), over 100 houses were destroyed, more than 50 livestock killed, and approximately 400 acres of agricultural land inundated, daily Dawn reported. Around 100 houses were damaged in Harnai and Qila Abdullah, while flood surges blocked the Gandawah–Notal road in Jhal Magsi.
Two people were killed due to lightning strikes in Loralai and Kachhi, while one person died in Kohlu due to a roof collapse, another died due to a wall collapse in Loralai, a child drowned in Jaffarabad, and two people were swept away in Kech.
Major roads were damaged due to heavy rainfall. Sections of the Harnai-Quetta and Quetta-Sanjawi national highways were washed away, and several roads were impacted due to heavy rainfall. Streams in Harnai and Chaman experienced flash floods.
According to the PDMA, emergency teams in coordination with district administrations are carrying out rescue and relief operations.
A mini-coach carrying 15 women and children was trapped in floodwaters in Qila Abdullah; however, all of them were rescued under the supervision of the Deputy Com¬missioner with PDMA assistance. Rescue operations continue in Goth Taj Habib and Goth Balochani in Kachhi, where embankment repairs are being conducted.
Thousands of livestock were killed and standing crops, including mustard, wheat and chickpeas, were destroyed, Dawn reported. Roads linking Bolan, Yarokazoi, Notal, Gandawah and Jhal Magsi have been cut off, isolating communities and stopping traffic between Sindh and Balochistan.
On March 30, the PDMA said that at least 17 people, including 14 children, were killed and 56 others were injured after heavy rains caused roof and wall collapse in several areas of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since March 25. The highest number of casualties was reported in Bannu, with eight deaths, including seven children and one woman, while 42 others were injured.
(IANS)
