By Hamza Ameer Islamabad 17 August : The monsoon rains in Pakistan has caused huge damage in various parts of the country with Balochistan province being among the most severely affected.
“The massive monsoon rains, along with the deluges that followed, have caused destruction in Balochistan creating massive losses to infrastructure and human life,” said an official of the Balochistan provincial government.
“The province is now in need of at 35 billion PKR to help with damage recovery as well as rehabilitation” he added.
As per the information shared by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) At minimum 196 persons — – 96 men and 45 women and 55 childrendied until now.
“The heavy rains led to the loss of more than 500,000 livestock and damaged crops across 198.461 acres of agricultural land in Balochistan,” said the PDMA.
“Eighty-one people – 49 men 12, 12 women 20 children were also injured as a result of flooding, and more than 10,000 people were forced to flee.”
A PDMA report said that the majority of deaths in Balochistan were confirmed in Chaman, Kachi, Barkhan, Dera Bugti, Zhob, Duki, Pishin, Panjgur, Kohlu, Killa Saifullah, Sibi, Lasbela, Loralai, Jaffarabad, Kalat, Kach, Khuzdar, and various districts.
“A total of 21,027 homes were destroyed or damaged due to the floods caused by rain.Eight highways of around 600 km, and 18 bridges also damaged.Tube wells solar panels, as well as other types of communications are severely damaged by the rain.”
In addition, at minimum, 25 dams of small size were destroyed and many link roads were destroyed completely.
Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo has said that his administration is putting in all efforts to aid and rehabilitation.He urged that the assistance of federal government was essential to speedy progress.
“The collaboration of the federal government in the rehabilitation and relief operation is crucial as the Prime Minister personally visited affected areas and reviewed the current circumstances,” he said.
However, locals are not pleased with the ongoing rehabilitation, relief and rehabilitation initiatives and blame the government for failing to take preventive measures despite the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
With more storms predicted in the near future, Balochistan province along with the majority of Punjab are preparing for more destruction and destruction.
hamza/
