Death toll from heavy rains surges to 99: PDMA

Quetta: Monsoon rains in Balochistan, which started on June 1, have wreaked havoc and brought misery for the people of the province, killing at least 99 people — including three in the past 24 hours — and damaging nearly 4,000 homes in the province, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority said in it’s the latest update.

The second spell of downpours has rattled the region as rains have broken their 30-year record.

According to the report, 99 people have so far lost their lives in rain-related incidents in the province. A large number of children were also among those who were killed during rains.

Giving the breakdown, the PDMA said 28 women, 39 men and 32 children have been expired in the rain calamity. The report said that the deaths occurred in Bolan, Quetta, Zhob, Dukki, Khuzdar, Kohlo, Ketch, Mastung, Harnai, Qila Saifullah and Sibi.

The report further stated that at least 63 people have been injured.

In the last 24 hours, two men and a child were killed in rain-related incidents in Quetta and Jaffarabad.

Meanwhile, 706 livestock animals have been killed in floods.

The report added that over 3,953 houses have been completely damaged, while 1,417 houses have been partly damaged in the rains.

Separately, nine bridges and four roads have been submerged in water.

In Turbat’s Mirani River, the water levels rose to 249.5 feet, raising the chances of flash floods. In other areas too, dams and reservoirs have been filled to capacity.

The cities that recorded the highest rainfall include Ziarat, Pishin, Muslim Bagh, and Quetta.

The PDMA said it had been dispatching relief items to the residents of Quetta and Panjgur, some of the most-affected areas. 

The PDMA Balochistan tweeted that around 100 families were provided with tents and basic facilities of everyday life.

So far, 1,100 ration bags and 50 camps have been sent, along with 200 blankets, 250 floor mats and 200 mosquito repellents.