Three dead in Balochistan as flash flooding occurs in various districts

QUETTA: At least three people have been killed in Balochistan after heavy rain wreaked havoc in the province, causing flash flooding in many districts.

Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani said a flood-like situation was forming in the province, with dams overflowing due to persistent rain the province for the last two days.

He said that at least 21 districts have been adversely affected by the downpour.

The MET Office on Friday had issued a weather advisory for more rain in the province till Sunday morning.

“More rain/wind-thundershower is expected in most parts of Balochistan from Friday to Sunday morning. Heavy falls are expected in Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Awaran, Panjgur, Ketch and Gwadar during the period,” the MET Office had said.

It had added the heavy downpour may generate flash flooding in local nullahs, advising all concerned authorities to remain on alert.

Shahwani added that the chief minister was supervising the situation and that tents and other aid was being sent to affected areas. “We are working on opening Gawadar, Bolan and other roads,” he added.

He advised people to avoid any unnecessary travel.

As the situation escalated, an emergency was imposed at all the major hospitals. Doctors, paramedics and nurses, along with all other medical staff, were instructed to ensure their presence and remain at the ready.

While Zhob saw the second consecutive day of rains, with the natural streams located on Koh-e-Suleman flooded, the Ziarat valley experienced rain for a third day today.

Flash floods occurred in Mastung, Khuzdar, Harnai, Noshki, Loralai, Kohlu, Dhadar, and Dera Bugti, causing massive devastation in their wake.

Cattle were reported swept away by the water, crops severely damaged and walls of mud houses caved in.

The coastal highway saw a disruption in movement of traffic, as a 30-foot wide crack appeared on the road.

The rains also cut off communication in many villages of the Bolan district’s Machh town and movement on the portion of the national highway close to the town was affected.

According to sources within the Levies force, flash floods also occurred in Dhadhar town, with water as high as 4-5 feet.

Vehicles bound for Quetta were stopped at Dhadhar, whereas vehicles coming from Quetta were stopped at Kolpur.

Meanwhile, in Bolan, due to the national highway being closed off, the flow of traffic was severely impacted. Hundreds of cars stood stranded.

Moreover, at the M-8 Gwadar-Ratodero highway, landsliding caused another disruption in the flow of traffic.

Severe flooding also occurred in Wadh and Mola tehsils of the Khuzdar district. The district administration ordered the evacuation of people housed in temporary shelters along the river banks.

In Chaman, strong, gusty winds continued to blow. The city’s power supply remains suspended for the last two days.

In Kohlu, the Sonari bridge was swept away by the heavy rainfall and the city lost all ground communication with Sibi and Quetta. Many of the suburbs stood inundated. The deputy commissioner instructed the administration to remain alert and ready to provide any form of assistance sought by residents.

Met dept warns of urban flooding

The Met department on Thursday had forecast heavy rainfall in Sindh, South Punjab and eastern parts of Balochistan from Friday till Saturday along with a warning of urban flooding for Karachi and Hyderabad.

According to the MET Office, a monsoon low pressure from the Bay of Bengal had approached Sindh on Thursday evening or night. “Under the influence of this weather system strong monsoon currents are expected to penetrate in Sindh, South Punjab and Eastern Balochistan from Thursday (evening/night) to Saturday,” the MET Office said.

The MET Office had also warned that the heavy downpour may result in urban flooding in Karachi and Hyderabad, with around 100 to 130 millimetres of rain expected in Karachi.