Manan Mandokhail, Ilyas Kamboh, Syed Ali Shah, Asad Kakar:
QUETTA, LASBELA, ZHOB: The death toll in rains and floods-related incidents rose to 120 including 42 children across Balochistan on Friday evening. Rescue workers recovered nine more dead bodies from floods in Lasbela, Zhob, Dera Bugti, Chaghi and Noshki districts of the province.
“Rescue operation is underway in all affected districts of the province”, Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Quddus Bizenjo said on Friday. Pak Army, Frontier Corps (FC), Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and civil administration are engaged in hectic efforts to rescue stranded people in the Lasbela and Jhal Magsi districts of Balochistan.
“Our priority is to evacuate people to safer places”, Mr. Bizenjo said while directing the concerned departments to expedite relief and rescue efforts. Balochistan government has declared an emergency in floods-affected areas of the province to cope with the situation.
Also Read: Balochistan floods: death toll rises to 105 including 34 children
Floods swept away roads, bridges and dams
Flash floods unleashed by heavy rainfall swept away roads, bridges and dams throughout the province. Floods swept away various portions of the Quetta-Karachi highway, which has caused the suspension of traffic for the fifth consecutive day on Friday.
“We are stranded at a hotel in Windar”, Muhammad Riaz, a passenger traveling to Karachi lamented. Like Riaz, most of the passengers are stranded for the last five days at hotels located on the national highway linking Balochistan with Sindh province.
Also Read: Balochistan floods: Death toll rises to 57 as 4 more dead bodies found
Pak Army engaged in rescue and relief operations
In Othal 2300 individuals from 4 villages have been evacuated to safer places, the military’s media wing said. Shelter and cooked meals are provided to the affected population.
N-25 connecting Quetta – Karachi has been opened for traffic which was blocked at 4 different places due to the collapse of bridges, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Friday evening. Telecommunication was restored in most of Balochistan particularly in Distt Lasbela in coordination with PTA.
29 districts were affected by floods
29 Distts of Balochistan have been affected due to recent rains/ flash floods particularly Lasbela, Kech, Quetta, Sibi , Khuzdar and Kohlu. 3953 houses have been damaged, the ISPR stated.
5 medical camps were established in flood-hit areas of Balochistan including Hub, Gaddani, Bela and Duddar and Jhal Magsi Gawadar Army dewatering teams have cleared the Gawadar area. The Coastal highway blocked at Aghore has been opened for traffic.
