QUETTA: The provincial administration of Balochistan on Friday released Rs150 million in emergency relief fund, as heavy monsoon rains continue to lash the country’s southwestern region and trigger flash floods in some of the districts.
So far, Pakistani authorities have reported 169 nationwide deaths, caused by cloudbursts since the middle of June which have affected all provinces of the country.
According to official statistics, 10 people have died in rain-related incidents in Balochistan’s Awaran, Killa Saifullah, Zhob, Naseerabad, Kech, Washuk, Dera Bugti, Jhal Magsi, Kech and Khuzdar districts. More than 350 houses have also collapsed in different parts of the province after monsoon began on June 19.
“In order to deal with the current disastrous situation triggered due to heavy rains and floods, the finance department has issued Rs150 million [$523,743] for timely relief and rescue operations in all 36 districts of Balochistan,” said the provincial finance department in a statement.
Balochistan is the largest province of the country in terms of the landmass, though it is the most impoverished region that suffered massive flash floods a year ago which claimed 336 lives and injured 187 people. More than 200,000 houses were also damaged in the flood across the province.
Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo directed all the relevant departments to intensify relief and rescue efforts in flood-hit districts.
“There should be 24/7 monitoring of all dams and canals and early evacuation alerts should be issued to control damages,” his office said in a statement released on Friday.
Director General of Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Jahanzaib Khan said his department was fully engaged in relief efforts in flood-hit areas like Washuk and Kharan.
“I wouldn’t call it a natural disaster but a human disaster because in Kharan, people have encroached water channels and built houses and markets on them which has led to major damages,” he told Arab News on the phone from Washuk district.
“Monsoon rains will continue in Balochistan for the next four days,” he added. “The PDMA has already distributed relief goods in all 36 districts of the province.”
