1,500 families rescued from Balochistan's flood-hit areas with army's help: ISPR

Published March 3, 2019
An operation using a Pakistan Army helicopter is being conducted by Frontier Corps (FC) personnel and district administration in Turbat. — Photo provided by Ismail Sasoli
An operation using a Pakistan Army helicopter is being conducted by Frontier Corps (FC) personnel and district administration in Turbat. — Photo provided by Ismail Sasoli

Security forces have been moved to assist the civil administration in rescue and relief operations for flood victims in various parts of Balochistan, the military's media wing said on Sunday.

An update shared by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said nearly 1,500 families had been rescued by Pakistan Army aviation helicopters in Dureji (Lasbela) and Qila Abdullah areas. Also, rations have been provided to some 3,500 families in the rain-affected areas of the province.

An emergency was declared in the flooded district of Qila Abdullah by the Balochistan government on Saturday and the army's help was sought to aid the local administration in rescue and relief efforts.

According to the ISPR, the army aviation helicopters have been busy in rescuing stranded people and shifting them to safer places.

"Pakistan Army doctors and paramedics [are] providing first aid, medical assistance and medicines," the statement added.

It said relief camps had been established in Makran, Lasbela and the snow-covered areas of northern Balochistan.

Additionally, security forces had rescued the vehicles that were stranded at Khojak Pass, Lak Pass and in the Shela Bagh area.

After heavy rainfall, ground contact with areas such as Buleda and Turbat was cut off on Sunday. At least four people were injured by the collapse of walls and other incidents caused by the rainfall.

Floodwater from Kech Kor and River Nihang entered the Mirani Dam, forcing the population in the area to start relocating. Drains in the Mand, Thump and Dasht Khudan areas were also inundated.

An operation using army helicopters is being conducted by Frontier Corps personnel and the district administration to rescue stranded people in Turbat.

Also on Sunday, Levies personnel and Edhi volunteers rescued a group of pilgrims who were stuck near the Shah Noorani shrine, according to the deputy commissioner of Lasbela.

A coaster carrying the 42 pilgrims was travelling to the shrine in Balochistan from Pakpattan when it was trapped in the floodwater.

Opinion

Editorial

Energy inflation
Updated 23 May, 2024

Energy inflation

The widening gap between the haves and have-nots is already tearing apart Pakistan’s social fabric.
Culture of violence
23 May, 2024

Culture of violence

WHILE political differences are part of the democratic process, there can be no justification for such disagreements...
Flooding threats
23 May, 2024

Flooding threats

WITH temperatures in GB and KP forecasted to be four to six degrees higher than normal this week, the threat of...
Bulldozed bill
Updated 22 May, 2024

Bulldozed bill

Where once the party was championing the people and their voices, it is now devising new means to silence them.
Out of the abyss
22 May, 2024

Out of the abyss

ENFORCED disappearances remain a persistent blight on fundamental human rights in the country. Recent exchanges...
Holding Israel accountable
22 May, 2024

Holding Israel accountable

ALTHOUGH the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor wants arrest warrants to be issued for Israel’s prime...