GAWADAR: Following more than 180 millimeters of rain in the previous two days, relief and rescue operations were underway in Gwadar on Friday, according to authorities.
Following severe rains that caused havoc in the city of Gwadar on Thursday, the administration of Balochistan proclaimed the city to be in a state of catastrophe and declared an emergency.
In Gwadar, Makran, and the northern and central regions of Balochistan, regular activities and traffic had been interrupted for 30 hours, causing flash floods that buried most of the areas.
Gwadar had received almost 180 millimeters of rain in the previous two days, according to officials.
The city received 60mm of rain in the previous 24 hours, according to a rainfall report that the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) released at 8 a.m. today.
With 72 mm of rain, Jiwani saw the most, followed by Kalat with 53 mm, Khuzdar with 34 mm, Sibbi with 30 mm, Dalbandin with 21 mm, and Turbat with 20 mm.
“Really, the situation in Gwadar is a bit bad,” stated Director General Jahanzeb Khan of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
Khan explained in a video message that “187mm of rainfall during the last two days” had caused the port city to experience flooding.
He claimed that efforts were underway to remove the collected rainwater. Along with other organizations, the PDMA, Pakistan Army, Navy, and district government were participating in the relief and rescue efforts, Khan continued.
The PDMA DG added that those whose houses had flooded were taken to safe places for evacuation. He issued a warning, saying that the province would get rain over the following two days.
Khan continued by saying that letters with instructions to handle any undesirable circumstance have been sent to the affected districts once more.
He further mentioned that the PDMA control room in Quetta was operational around-the-clock and that he was in continual communication with deputy commissioners throughout Balochistan.
“Widespread heavy rain-windstorm/thunderstorm (heavy snowfall over hills) is expected in Nokkundi, Dalbandin, Chagi, Lasbella, Awaran, Turbat, Kech, Gwadar, Jiwani, Pasni, Ormara, Panjgur, Kharan, Washuk, Noushki, Kalat, Khuzdar, Mastung, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Kohlu, Jhal Magsi, Loralai, Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Musakhel, Ziarat, Quetta, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah and Qila Saifullah.
It stated, “An isolated hailstorm is also likely during the period.” In the majority of the province’s districts, “mainly dry weather” is predicted for tomorrow. “Yet, isolated locations in Quetta, Ziarat, Zhob, and Barkhan are expected to experience partly cloudy weather with rain or snowfall over hills,” the statement continued.
