As torrential rainfall continued to wreak havoc in Balochistan, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted downpours in parts of Sindh — including Karachi — as well for the next three days.
Continuous rains accompanied by thunderstorms have lashed several parts of the country over the past few days, with landslides and floods reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Ten more people, including nine children, were killed on Tuesday in various parts of KP in the aftermath of the torrential rains as the provincial government imposed an emergency in 13 districts for the provision of relief and restoration of damaged communication networks and water supply.
In a weather outlook issued today, the PMD forecast thunderstorms and rainfall in the Karachi division and other parts of Sindh till April 19.It further said a “westerly wave” was affecting Balochistan, which has been reeling from floods following a three-day spell of torrential rainfall.
According to Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind, relevant departments have been instructed to take safety measures to deal with the “extraordinary situation” created by the rains.
“Balochistan Chief Minister [Sarfraz Bugti] has directed various commissioners and deputy commissioners (DCs) to monitor the situation,” Rind said.Noting that initial reports of damage had been received, he said that a total of eight people had died and nine had been injured till now across the province in incidents of lightning and roof collapses.
The spokesperson added that around 40 houses had been damaged as of yet due to flash floods.Rind said that the torrential rains had also caused damage to link roads, highlighting that work was under way to restore means of communication in the affected districts. Surveys were also being conducted in those areas to determine the losses.
According to Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General (DG) Jahanzeb Khan, de-watering pumps had been delivered to Gwadar and relief efforts were also under way in Pasni.The PDMA DG highlighted that the current weather system could affect Makran the most, adding that “necessary items” had been provided to the division.
Lamenting that there were encroachments on “45 feet of a 50-feet nullah”, Jahanzeb said that rainwater was being drained from such nullahs.
