August 10, 2006	Thursday	Rajab 14, 1427

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QUETTA, Aug 9: Rains continued in parts of Balochistan, isolating more villages in Kalat, Washak, Sibi and Bolan districts as roads were washed away by torrents.

According to reports, the flood death toll has reached eight.

Official sources said two people had drowned in Kalat and three in Lasbela and Zhob areas, adding that heavy downpour was reported in parts of Kalat and its surrounding areas on Wednesday.

They said scores of villages had no link with the district headquarters of Kalat because roads in these areas had been washed away by floods.

They said hundreds of people were marooned in villages near Kalat because a vast area was inundated with rainwater. They added that crops had been damaged and reservoirs built for storing rainwater destroyed.

Meanwhile, the flood situation improved in the Sibi district. The local administration opened a road between Tali and Sibi and launched a relief operation in the area.

“We are trying to reach inundated villages to provide relief goods to affected people,” Sibi DCO Shakil Ahmad Hashmi told Dawn, adding the Sibi Mal Road was expected to be opened on Thursday.

He said catachment areas of Nari and Tali rivers had received more rains.

Reports said efforts were being made to rescue stranded mine workers in the Margat coal filed.

Heavy machinery and other equipment had been sent to the area to clear the way to reach the workers, said officials, adding that heavy rains and hill torrents were hampering rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yousuf presided a meeting of departments concerned and directed the provincial relief commissioner and the health department to send tents, medicines, food, blankets and other items to flood-affected areas.

He also directed the finance department to release funds for relief activities.

The meeting was told that at least 10 water supply schemes and many roads had been damaged in the rains. A large numbers of houses had also collapsed.

It was told that 41 small and big dams in the province had filled to capacity and their spillways had been opened to release extra water.