Syed Ali Shah, Manan Mandokhail:
QUETTA: The death toll in Balochistan floods and rains related incidents rose to 99 on Thursday evening. 32 children and 28 women are among the dead, this was revealed in data shared by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
Women and children have faced the brunt of the floods and torrential rains in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan. Flash floods unleashed by heavy rainfall played havoc in almost all districts of the province, which covers half of the country in terms of area.
32 children, and 28 women among the dead
“32 children were drowned in floods in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan”, Naseer Ahmed Nasar, the Director-General of PDMA revealed. He said some children lost their lives when their mud-walled houses collapsed in Quetta and Loralai.
The Balochistan government has announced Rs.2 million for the heirs of the victims. Balochistan and federal governments each would provide Rs. 1 million to the heirs of the victims. “We will rehabilitate all the affectees and displaced people”, Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Quddus Bizenjo said.
PDMA rescue workers made hectics efforts
The PDMA rescue teams made hectic efforts to retrieve the dead bodies of the children. Overall, women and children appeared to be more vulnerable in the aftermath of heavy rainfall and floods in the province.
Floods and rains have left dozens of people injured. Most of the injured are admitted to civil hospital Quetta for medical treatment. Floods had swept away small bridges, and small and delay check dams.
Flash floods unleashed by heavy rainfall also destroyed standing crops and severely damaged the agriculture of the province. “Federal government should announce a package for the farmers of Balochistan”, Mir Asadullah Baloch, the Balochistan Agriculture Minister said.
DCs ordered to submit damages assessment report
The provincial government has ordered all concerned departments and deputy commissioners to conduct the damages assessment and submit a report in this regard. On Thursday, Chief Secretary Balochistan, Abdul Aziz Uqaili thoroughly briefed the provincial cabinet meeting about the damages caused by floods and rains in the province.
Torrential rains have also affected the education of 78910 students across Balochistan during the last two weeks. Flash floods unleashed by heavy rainfall played havoc across all 32 districts of the province. Floods have damaged many school buildings in the province depriving students of education.
