Syed Ali Shah:
QUETTA: Flash floods unleashed by heavy rainfall in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan played havoc across the province on Saturday. Floods washed away the remains of a damaged bridge in Chashma Achozai area of Quetta and caused the suspension of traffic. A vehicle carrying four people drowned in the bridge. All four people were rescued by local residents of the area and were taken from the vehicle.
Video images shared on social media show, a long queues of vehicles standing after the bridge was washed away by floods. “We have been waiting since morning but no way to cross”, Syed Ali Shah, a resident of the area lamented. He said women and children were the worst sufferers of suspension of traffic since they were using long distances to reach their homes.
Elsewhere in Balochistan including Kalat, Mastung, Gwadar, Pishin, Killa Abdullah, torrential rains have damaged dozens of mud-walled houses. Flash floods have also caused the suspension of traffic in Bolan Kachhi area of Balochistan and in the Mekran belt of the province.
The provincial disaster management authority (PDMA) declared an emergency acorss the province to tackle the situation. Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Sarfaraz Bugti also directed the PDMA and other concerned departments to step up efforts to make sure timely rescue and relief operations in the province.
“I have directed the PDMA to make sure timely response to all incidents”, Chief Minister Bugti stated.
Lightining has already claimed four precious human lives in Pishin, Sorab and Killa Saifullah districts of Balochistan.
