QUETTA: Heavy monsoon rains lashed various areas of Balochistan for the third consecutive day on Saturday, creating a flood-like situation in different regions, as flash floods continued to wreak havoc, disrupting traffic on highways and roads connecting the province to other parts of the country.

At least 12 people have been killed over the past few days in rain-related incidents so far.

The main rivers, including Nai Gaj, Bolan, Lehri, and Mola, were swollen with high floodwaters as their catchment areas, comprising Ziarat, Harnai, Zhob, Sanjavi, Loralai, Qila Saifullah, Muslim Bagh and Khanozai, received continuous heavy rainfall over the last three days.

Officials said heavy flooding in seasonal and regular rivers of the province had affected highways, with landslides reported in some areas, suspending traffic. The flash flood has impacted the newly constructed Pinjra Bridge, prompting the local administration to close it to heavy traffic, allowing only small vehicles to cross.

Heavy floodwaters in River Nai Gaj affected numerous villages as several protection dikes were washed away in Sibi and Bolan areas. Rivers Lehri and Mula were also receiving heavy floodwaters from their catchment areas.

In Jhal Magsi district, many villages were impacted, and the area’s connection to Gan­dawah was severed. Furthermore, several houses in Jhal Magsi were inundated by floodwater, forcing residents to flee for shelter.

Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has instructed the divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners of affected areas to provide relief and rescue facilities to the flood-stricken areas.

Rain-related death toll in Balochistan jumped from six to 12, as the Provincial Disaster Manag­ement Authority reported that a total of 12 people have lost their lives and 32 others sustained injuries in rain-related incidents in the province.

The downpour also caused significant damages in Kohlu, with crops on around 312 acres of land destroyed, 19km of roads affected, and 106 cattle heads lost. The roofs of several mud houses also collapsed in New Killi, Mari Colony and Tambo areas.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2024