he torrential rains that began on April 12 resulted in numerous casualties due to roof collapses, lightning strikes and other incidents. Many people were injured.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority has also issued a warning for a new rain system from April 24 to April 27.

According to the PDMA, Balochistan, the recent heavy rains resulted in the death of 15 people - four men, six women and five children. Ten people were injured - seven men, one woman and two children. 240 houses were damaged. Chaghi and Chaman districts were particularly affected by localised flash floods. The flooding caused eight deaths in the Chaman district and damaged 110 houses in Chaghi district.

Quetta

According to a notification issued by the PDMA, Quetta was declared calamity-hit following continuous torrential rains and an urban flood emergency was imposed.

Journalist Noor Afreen from Quetta told The News Sunday that the areas in Quetta that were affected by the floods in August 2022 had been affected again.

“Most of the residents in these areas are from the working class. Most of the population lives in mud houses close to the canals. The drainage system in these areas is not good. Therre are no dedicated storm drains. These areas include Hanna Urak, Srah Khurdgi, Nawan Kali, Chashma, Eastern Bypass and Saryab,” he said.

Water entered many houses and inundated the roads. Infrastructure affected in the 2022 flood, was damaged again. Some areas like Chashma, Nawan Kali and Hanna Urak were closed for a few days.

Haider Khan from Quetta told TNS that the city’s drainage system was inadequate. “Even after a light rainfall, the streets are flooded and the drains spill over. The recent downpour has resulted in storm water entering many houses. Underground water tanks in many of these houses have been contaminated. Business activities across the city have come to a halt,” he said.

Afreen said that no loss of life had been reported but many houses had been damaged.

Chaman

Journalist Saeed Achakzai from Chaman told TNS that the entire district had been affected by the torrential rains. He said the bypass area in the main market of Chaman was the most affected.

“In addition to Chaman city, the western part where water comes from the eastern part and exits towards Afghanistan, the nearby areas of Bab-i-Dosti on the border side, including Grovi Kool, Uda Kool, Kali Mahmoodabad, Kali Hassan Tekhadar, Kali Dayan, have suffered damage,” he said.

Achakzai said that the bypass area had been badly affected. He said poorly planned developmental projects in the area had caused a narrowing of the drains.

Many houses were damaged by the rain. Roads, bridges, electricity poles and transformersalong many routes were affected. The Rang Road on the eastern Chaman side was affected and had been closed to traffic. The villages approached using this raod were cut off from the rest of the district.

Salahuddin from the suburban area of Chaman city told TNS that most people were staying at home due to the rains. He said economic stagnation meant that most people could not repair the houses damaged by the rain.

Surveys are being conducted in the city to estimate the extent of damage.

Tents and food items have been distributed in some areas by government agencies. Word in the area is that the Irrigation Department does not have the machinery to pump out storm water. About 20 floowater dams have filled to the capacity and need draining.

Deputy Commissioner Raja Athar Abbas said, “We are trying to help people as much as possible. The Levies, Pakistan Army and the FC are providing aid in the affected areas.”

Chagai

Journalist Muhammad Baksh Baloch said that the border town of Taftan, including the surrounding areas of Saindak, had been submerged following torrential rains that were accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms. The rising waters in streams and rivers led to the collapse of several mud houses and walls at the Taftan station, creating an emergency situation. Numerous shops in the Drum Bazaar were inundated.

He said that residents complained that the government had not taken effective measures to drain the water, leaving them to fend for themselves. “…they have urged the authorities to take immediate action to pump out the water accumulated in various shops at the Taftan station and the market.”

District Health Officer Dr Kehwar Khan Baloch has declared an emergency at the BHU at Taftan and the RHC at Nokundi, ordering the staff to report for duty.

According to reports from Chagai, the floodwaters severely affected several areas including Kali Lashkarab, Kali Kochaal, the villages of Baram Chah, Kali Sardar Dost Muhammad Hasni, Kali Malik Nazar Samalzai, Kali Saeedabad Mengal, Kali Haji Sahib Khan, Kali Gul Muhammad, Kali Sardar Yaqoob Pirkazi, Kali Haji Sultan Ali Khan, Kali Haji Fazal Muhammad, Dasht Goran, Kali Nawab, Kali Nisarabad, Kali Malik Abdul Hadi Samalani and Kali Dad Karim Sanjrani. Posti, and several places in Ziarat Balanosh, as well as the Levies check post and agricultural farms, ave been damaged by the water overflowing water channels.

Several vehicles were swept away by the floodwaters. However, no casualties were reported from Chagai.

Qila Abdullah

Aqib Khan from Kali Habib Zai, Qila Abdullah, told TNS that a small bridge connecting the village to the main route was washed away by water on the day after Eid. He said the villagers were trying to protect their houses on a self-help basis. He said crops were affected and many tube wells had been choked with mud.

Journalist Mansoor Achakzai said that a person struck by lightning in Gulistan tehsil had died. Crops had been damage throughout Qila Abdullah. In some areas, the walls of houses, poles and roads were washed away by the floodwater.

Pishin

Journalist Sami Tareen said that a person had died in a lightning strike in the Manzari area of Pishin. In Hameedabad, 18 houses were swept away by floodwaters. The road connection between Pishin and Barshor was cut off for six days due to the Tor Margha bridge being washed away. The road connection via Dub Khan Zai was also affected. The Tor Margha bridge has been restored since then. Restoration work on the Dub Khan Zai road has yet to commence. A joint rescue operation launched by the PDMA and Levies personnel is still ongoing.

Turbat

Journalist Ayaz Baloch from Kech said that the city of Turbat had not suffered significant damage. However, reports of considerable losses were received from Tump, Mand, Nasirabad, Gwadar and Pasni.

Following the entry of a western disturbance system into Pakistan on April 25, heavy rains have once again created severe conditions in many parts of Balochistan, including Nushki, Kharan, Barkhan, Kohlu and Musa Khel.

The writer is a freelance reporter