July 06, 2007	Friday	Jamadi-us-Sani 20, 1428

QUETTA, July 5: Rains and floods have given rise to gastroenteritis, malaria and skin diseases in the calamity-stricken areas of Balochistan. The authorities, confirming the outbreak of these diseases, said medical teams had been sent to the affected areas.

Gwadar, Kharan, Jhal Magsi and Jaffarabad were among the affected areas.

Jaffarabad has so far seen at least 56 cases of snake-bite. The flood situation was improving in a number of places as catchment areas reported no rain since Wednesday evening.

However, Jhal Magsi and Jaffarabad districts still remained cut off from other areas through road link. “A vast area of Jhal Magsi is still under water,” sources said, adding that floodwaters from Jhal Magsi had caused heavy losses to human settlements in Jaffarabad. Thousands of people were rendered homeless.

“We are trying to restore road link with Jhal Magsi,” official sources said.

Relief goods continued to be airdropped in Jhal Magsi and several thousand people were rescued.

Chief Secretary K. B. Rind presided over a meeting to review the relief operation. He said the government had set up committees at district level for assessing the losses in 16 districts of Balochistan.

He informed the meeting that the federal government would extend all help to the Balochistan government for the rehabilitation of 2.5 million people.

Home Secretary Tariq Ayub and Relief Commissioner Khuda Bakhsh Baloch informed newsmen that various international aid agencies and NGOs had approached the provincial government with offers of assistance.

They said the World Health Organisation had sent emergency kits.

A ship carrying 106 tons of relief goods reached Gwadar port on Thursday while C-130 planes were also bringing in supplies.

In reply to a question, Tariq Ayub said the death toll rose to 134 with two more deaths in Washak and Loralai.

Almost 170 people are still missing.

Mr Ayub said the Balochistan government had asked the federal government to provide 50,000 tents, but only 2,796 had been received.