HUB, Dec 31: At least 24 people died in Aranji sub-Tehsil of Khuzdar district during December because of prolonged drought, it was learnt on Tuesday.

Reports revealed that the drought which had been prevailing in parts of the province, particularly Khuzdar, for five years had claimed more than 200 lives. The people lost hundreds of animals.

The water reserves had dried up and the people were forced to drink unhygienic water, resulting in hepatitis and other fatal diseases, sources said.

The government or non-government organizations have yet to visit the affected areas to initiate activities to help the people.

The local bodies’ representatives of the area recently revealed that drought had started claiming lives in the Aranji area again, resulting in deaths of 24 people.

They said the area urgently required potable water, food, medicine and other essential things.

They appealed to the government to take immediate steps to check the affects of drought in the area.