42 killed as floods continue to lash Balochistan | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

42 killed as floods continue to lash Balochistan

By: Safiullah

QUETTA: Around 42 people have lost their lives and 300,000 others have been injured so far in the massive floods that have hit Naseerabad and Jafferabad districts, according to unofficial reports. Two children died and 10 others were wounded, including women and children, in Sibbi when roofs of their houses caved in on Wednesday. Moreover, the cracks in Pat Feeder Canal in Jafferabad district could be not be filled, causing hundreds of other villages to be submerged.

According to reports, two children were killed and two others wounded when the roof of a house collapsed in Landi Khosa area of Sibbi following torrential rains. Sources said dozens of other mud houses had developed cracks that compelled people to move to safer places, adding that the army had started moving marooned people to safer place and providing them relief goods.

They said eight people, including women and children, were wounded in roof collapse incidents in Hamidabad area of Jaffarabad district. A local journalist said hundreds of other people were still trapped in floodwater because no rescue team had reached them so far.

The sources also said over 30 bodies had been found from different areas of Naseerabad and Jafferabad while over 300 people were still missing. They added communication system of Jafferabad and Naseerabad districts could no be restored with the rest of country as floodwater was still accumulated on roads and railway tracks.

Focal person of Flood Relief Cell, Captain (r) Akbar Durrani said 11 districts of Balochistan had been affected due to the devastating floods that claimed 14 lives and destroyed 1,227 houses completely while 1,439 were partially damaged.

He said the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) had already taken measures to meet any challenges since Met Office had already predicted heavy rains. He said all district officers had been issued Rs 500,000 immediately with directions to establish free medical camps in all Basic Health Units apart from the medical camps set up by Frontier Corps and the army.

Durrani said 80 percent houses had been completely destroyed, adding that Jafferabad, Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi and Dera Bugti were the most affected districts. He said six helicopters were taking part in rescue operation and 4,200 blankets, 3,200 tents, 395 bags of sugar, tea packs, rice and other edibles had been distributed.

Meanwhile, Southern Command Commander Lieutenant General Muhammad Allam Khattak said no stone would be left unturned in assisting flood victims. He said the army was devising a comprehensive strategy to help them.

Daily Times