DERA MURAD JAMALI / QUETTA: Flash floods triggered by heavy rains washed away human settlements and roads in Jhal Magsi, Ziarat and other areas of Balochistan, on Tuesday.

Hundreds have been left homeless in Sibi as gushing water in rivers and seasonal streams swept away homes after breaching protection dykes.

Similar destruction has been reported in Bolan and Kachhi districts.

Ziarat valley received heavy rain for hours which washed away Kawas and Zindra dams. As water level increased, the spillways of both dams were opened which inundated vast areas of Zindra town in Ziarat.

Dozens of mud houses have been badly damaged, with many collapsed, forcing people to flee for shelter.

Ziarat’s road link with the provincial capital Quetta and other areas has also been severed as flash floods damaged the main road.

The water also entered the main bazaar in the Cheena area of Ziarat district, damaging shops and markets.

Balochistan Food Minister Noor Muhammad Dummar, who is the MPA from the Ziarat-Sanjavi area, confirmed the destruction caused by heavy rains.

He said losses were also reported in the Harnai area.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and local administration should immediately launch relief and rescue operations in the affected areas and provide shelters to the people, he added.

In Jhal Magsi, seasonal streams carrying heavy flood damaged roads, leaving the locals stranded.

“Downstream areas of Jhal Magsi and Gandawah were under threat due to flood,” Jhal Magsi Deputy Commissioner Syed Rehmat Ullah Shah told Dawn, adding the area was still receiving rainfall.

In Awaran, the land link of all tehsils with the district headquarters has been suspended.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2024