QUETTA, July 3: The flood situation worsened in Nasirabad and Jaffarabad districts on Tuesday as raging torrents overwhelmed the two Balochistan districts after wreaking havoc in Jhal Magsi.
The death toll climbed to 150 after more bodies were found.
Chief Minister Jam Mohammad Yousuf, who is on a tour of flood-affected areas, said the calamity had caused a loss ranging between Rs60 billion and Rs70 billion to the province.
“The magnitude of this disaster is not less than that of the 2005 earthquake in Azad Kashmir and the NWFP.”
He appealed to the international community and aid agencies for help.
Chief Secretary K. B. Rind, at a press conference after a meeting on the relief operation, confirmed a death toll of 132 and said a large number of people were still missing.
He rejected an impression that the Mirani dam had submerged Turbat. However, he said, a probe had already been ordered into the use of sub-standard material in the construction of some dams that were swept away during the floods.
“Around 400,000 cusecs of floodwater flowing in and along the Kirthar canal has inundated large areas of Jaffarabad district,” an official told Dawn.
A 250-foot breach in the canal could not be plugged due to heavy flood, the official added.
Hundreds of people have camped out on roads along the Kirthar canal.
JHAL MAGSI: Floodwaters were receding in Jhal Magsi as rains eased in Khuzdar district. Army helicopters and boats evacuated about 2,500 people from Jhal Magsi town.
Sources said 28 bodies had been found in different villages of Jhal Magsi.
Quetta and four other districts are still without gas.
The road link between Quetta and Karachi through the RCD Highway remained suspended. The coastal areas also remained cut off.
