QUETTA, Feb 10: Heavy rains washed away Shadi Kor dam in the coastal area of Makran and vast area of Pasni sub-division. The water could also hit Pasni township. Many people are feared dead.

The coastal highway linking Pasni with Karachi and Gwadar was also washed away at various places while Pasni airport has been closed for air traffic as runway has come under water.

The provincial government has declared emergency in the area and army and navy was called out for launching relief operation in the affected areas. Pasni and many other coastal areas had been cut off by road and air from the rest of the country. The power supply, telephone lines have been disrupted. The flood-water also entered in the gird station of Pasni damaging generators.

"Two villages Sindhipuso and Turati were completely submerged as they were close to the dam area having around 700 population," Syed Sher Jan Baloch, a provincial minister told Dawn. He added that hundreds of people were missing while coast guards had recovered many bodies from the sea.

The house of Provincial Minister Sher Jan Baloch was also washed away in the dam water. However, the people of the area saved his family members. According to reports at least 26 people including three personnel of coastal guards were washed away in the flood water. The dam water entered the Pasni township forcing the people to shift to safer places.

"Half of the Pasni is under three to four feet water," Abdul Razaq said and added that people climbed on rooftops of their houses to save their lives.

Some sources said that a Pasni-bound passenger bus carrying 45 people from Turbat was also missing after breaking of Shadi kor dam. The bus could not reach at its destination till late evening, official sources said confirmed.

According to reports the flood water is stored at the Shadi Kor dam, some 40km from Pasni for the last four days and on Thursday noon it started overflowing. The people of the area informed the official concerned about the situation but before taking any step the dam broke down and washed away around 3.30om.

The gushing water of the dam reached Pasni town within four hours washing away many small villages in the area.

According to another report the two villages of Ormara township were also inundated due to heavy flood in Basol river while heavy rains also hit some other areas of the central Balochistan including Awaran, Sibi, Bolan, Nushki and Hub area.

Navy and coast guards have launched relief operation in the affected areas. They were evacuating the people through helicopters from affected areas. The army troops were also moved to the affected areas for taking part in the operation.

Edhi Foundation sent its helicopters and relief workers along with boasts in the affected areas for helping out the people.