QUETTA: The Balochistan government has declared emergency in nine districts as the flood situation has worsened in the province.

Torrential rains continued in Nasirabad, Jaffarabad, Sibi, Jhal Magsi, Khuzdar, Kalat, Mastung, Hub, Bela, Harnai, Zhob, Ziarat, Dera Bugti and Kohlu districts on Saturday.

Five deaths have been reported in rain-related incidents in different areas of Balochistan during the past 48 hours.

Four children were swept away in floodwater in Hinna valley near Quetta, but the area people saved three of them.

A young man identified as Mohammad Yousaf was electrocuted in the Dasht Omer Doori area of Mastung district.

Mohammad Wasim died due to lightning in the Lakhara area of Lasbela district. A young man was drowned in Hub River.

A large number of villages were submerged in floodwater and Quetta once again was cut off from the rest of the country as the main bridge on Quetta-Sukkur National Highway was damaged in the second spell of torrential rains.

Seasonal rivers Bolan, Nari and Mola in Sibi, Bolan and Khuzdar districts carried heavy floodwater. In Jhal Magsi district, a large number of villages were cut off from the district headquarters as the link road between Jhal Magsi and Gandawah had been submerged in floodwater.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2020