QUETTA: The Balochistan government has declared four districts of the province as highly vulnerable to flash floods.

The districts declared as vulnerable include Naseerabad, Jaffarabad, Jhal Magsi and Sohbat Pur.

Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch chaired a high level meeting on Thursday to review the current situation in the province regarding torrential rains which have been lashing the northern and eastern parts of the province on Thursday afternoon.

It was observed during the meeting that 20 districts of the province were likely to be affected by torrential rains.

Read: 14 swept away by flood in Balochistan

"Dozens of mud-walled houses have collapsed in Dera Bugti and Kohlu districts, while eight people lost their lives in rain related incidents,” said Tahir Munir Minhas, the director general of Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

“We have cancelled holidays of government employees and are making efforts to provide relief to the people,” Minhas added.

The chief minister was also briefed on measures being taken to safeguard people from flash-floods in the region. A decision was taken to move those most at risk to safer areas.

Relief goods comprising of tents, blankets and food rations have been dispatched to the affected districts to ensure timely provision to the people.

The chief minister has directed all commissioners and deputy commissioners to remain in their districts and monitor relief activities in the aftermath of heavy rainfall in the area.

Also read: Lower Sindh braces for 5-day rain

‘Three locations have been picked for establishment of relief camps in Quetta. If flash-floods cause damage in the vulnerable districts, then we expect people to head towards Quetta,” said Commissioner Quetta Division Qambar Dashti.

The meteorological department has predicted heavy rainfall in Balochistan's districts bordering Sindh province from July 25 to July 29.

Earlier, at least 14 people, among them 12 pilgrims, were swept away by flash flood that hit Shah Noorani and Sakran areas of Lasbela and Khuzdar districts after heavy rains on Wednesday.

Pakistan has suffered from monsoon floods for the last few years and has been criticised for not doing more to mitigate against the dangers posed by seasonal rains washing away homes and farmland.

In 2010, the worst floods in the country's history killed almost 1,800 people and affected 21 million.