QUETTA: Balochistan’s road link to other provinces remained disrupted on Monday as heavy rainfall continued in several districts.

Officials said that Zhob, Sherani, Dera Bugti, Nasirabad, Bolan, Harnai, Khuzdar, Loralai, Barkhan and Musakhail districts received heavy rains as part of the pre-monsoon weather system.

The traffic at Quetta-Zhob-D.I. Khan N-50 Highway has been partially restored following its closure on Sunday. Heavy boulders fell on the road due to a landslide between Dhanasar and Mughal Kot areas of Balochistan’s Sherani district.

However, officials have said that after more rainfall at the Koh-i-Suleman mountain range, further landsliding is expected.

The National Highway Authority and local officials said the work to clear the highway will continue between Dhanasar and Mughal Kot to fully open the highway for traffic.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority has also issued a fresh forecast of heavy rainfall in at least 15 districts of northern and central Balochistan.

The deputy commissioners of all districts have been advised to take immediate steps to avoid damages of roads, human settlements and lives.

“More landslides are expected in different mountainous areas of Balochistan as heavy rains continue in several areas of the province,” the PDMA officials warned and directed the departments concerned to deploy heavy machinery to clear the roads in case of landslides.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2024