Balochistan death toll in rain-related incidents hits 39

Most affected regions include Quetta, Zhob, Dukki, Barkhan, Kohlu, Dera Bugti, Harnai

Balochistan witnessed heavy monsoon rains in its various regions on Thursday, causing the deaths of 39 people and injury to several others.

According to Provincial Disaster Management Authority Balochistan (PDMA Balochistan), the heavy rains have killed 39 people thus far and injured several others and destroyed several areas.

The deceased include 16 women, 10 men and 13 children. The most affected regions are Quetta, Zhob, Dukki, Barkhan, Kohlu, Dera Bugti, Harnai, Lasbela, Sibi and Awaran. While Ziarat, Kech, Pasni, Panjgoor, Ormara, Nasirabad and the other adjourning areas are also among the affected areas.

Awaran’s Teertej area received great rainfalls resulting in damage to several people’s homes. According to the local people, six houses got completely destroyed, while the rainwater took away goats and sheep.

“Because of CPEC road’s constriction, the balance of land got disturbed and rainwater went into the houses,” said a local, saying the government needed to ensure the affected families were compensated.

Concerned about the rains, Advisor of Minister for Home and Tribal Affairs and Prison, Zia Langove and Deputy Speaker of Balochistan Assembly, Sardar Babar Musakhel met with DG PDMA and discussed the recent rains across the province.

The government representatives asked the PDMA to ensure every sort of support to the affected regions and people at the earliest. On the directions of the government, PDMA sent relief to the affected regions, the DG said. They added that the rains are likely to stop being dangerous after Thursday, July 7.

Meanwhile, monsoon rains across the country during the past 24 hours caused 20 more deaths in various federating units, taking the total death toll to 97 and the injured to 101 since the onset of the rainy season. According to National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) daily situation report on the damages, the maximum number of deaths were reported in Balochistan where the Thor Margha Malkiar Dam in the Pishin District overflew, resulting in the death of two children and a woman. In another incident, the entrance of Hingol Bridge (M-8 Balagatr) got damaged due to the washing away of the approach slab.

The province also witnessed severe incidents of flash floods in its districts which caused the deaths of three children and a woman in District Qilla Saifullah, a woman in District Nushki and another woman in District Chaman. The highest damages were recorded in Gilgit Baltistan. In District Diame, due to a flood in the Dodishal Nullah, a house, irrigation channels at various locations and a valley road got damaged at three locations (800 to 1,000m).

In Khanbary, the floods resulted in road cut-off at various locations, damage to irrigation channels and water supply ink various areas and partial damage to 20 houses. Three Truce Bridges were washed away in the deluge. In District Skardu, the Jaglot-Skardu Road (JSR) got blocked at multiple locations due to land sliding and flash floods. In District Shigar, the road to Braldo got blocked at the Nid Dasso, Biansapi Nullah, Foljo Nullah, Hotto Nullah and Surrungo Nullah.

Damages were reported in District Ghanche due to a road blockade at Hushey Valley and due to land sliding where the damage assessment was underway.

In District Ghizer – Sherqilla, a flash flood caused the death of four women and a child whereas two children got missing. A search operation was underway. In District Hunza, the flash flood damaged Sost Nullah whereas restoration work is in progress. The Hassanabad Bridge also collapsed due to a flash flood where Irish Crossing was installed by the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO). The Guroh Juglot Road has been blocked at various points due to uphill sliding.

In Punjab, due to heavy rains in Multan District, a man and two women died due to a wall collapse whereas in a separate incident three males, a female and a child perished injured due to the roof collapse. In Sindh, heavy rains caused the death of a child, and a woman and child got injured due to a roof collapse in District Karachi Central. In Karachi West, a male died due to electrocution.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday assured the government of Balochistan of the federal government’s all possible support to help overcome the losses caused by the heavy rains in the province. The prime minister, in a meeting with Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, said the development of Balochistan was among his government’s priorities.

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