QUETTA: As large parts of Balochistan were still inundated, authorities on Saturday made a deliberate cut through a road to drain water and save Usta Mohammad town in Jafferabad district.

Meanwhile, more deaths were reported in different areas of the province during the last 48 hours, taking the death toll to over 300 and 181 injured, while outbreaks of waterborne diseases were also threatening the vulnerable population in tent cities.

Usta Mohammad sub division, an important trade centre of Jafferabad district, was under pressure as the water accumulated in the surrounding areas was moving towards the town.

The local administration and engineers of the irrigation department were making efforts to save the area and made a cut near Khanpur Bridge at the road linking Usta Mohammad with Dera Allahyar and Quetta-Sukkur National Highway.

Large areas of Nasirabad division still under water; disease outbreaks threaten vulnerable population

“We are making all-out efforts to save Usta Mohammad town which has a big population,” Nasirabad Commissioner Bashir Ahmed Bangulzai told Dawn over the phone.

“We have no other option but to give way to the flood water by developing a cut at as flood water was threatening Usta Mohammad and other areas.”

“The efforts were underway to strengthen the flood protection dyke around Usta Mohammad,” a senior engineer of the irrigation department told Dawn.

The overall situation in Nasirabad division could not improve and despite the army and Frontier Corps’ efforts, large areas were still inaccessible as people awaited to be rescued in far-flung villages of the division.

Army, FC involved in relief operations

Pakistan Army and FC continued their rehabilitation operations in flood-hit areas of the province, said a statement by ISPR.

According to the statement, ration packets are also being delivered by helicopters to areas that cannot be accessed by roads.

In the last 24 hours, 2,465 ration bags, 580 flour bags and 140 edible oil cartons were distributed to needy families in Sibi, Awaran, Jafferabad, Nasirabad, Jhal Magsi, Bolan, and Nushki, ISPR added.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2022