Rain, flood emergency imposed in Balochistan; 7 die in KP
QUETTA, (NNI): Leaves of all concerned officers and other employees have been cancelled as the government of Balochistan, in view of stormy rains lashing different parts of the province for the last several days, has imposed a rain and urban flood emergency.
According to the spokesman for the provincial government, all government and private schools will remain closed in rain-hit districts of the province today as well as tomorrow.
Keeping in view the situation arising out of heavy rains and flooding of the province's cities, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti has chaired an online meeting of all divisional commissioners and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) officials.
Principal Secretary to the CM Imran Zarkun and the PDMA DG briefed the meeting about the situation on the occasion.
CM Bugti expressed his strong displeasure over the failure of district administrations to drain out the rainwater. "The government will provide whatever resources the field staff ask for," he said, adding, "Ridding the people of the present situation is the government's responsibility."
He ordered the field staff to remove encroachments from around the nullahs so that the water could be drained out.
The bridge in Dab Khanzai area was washed away by floodwaters, severing connection between Pishin Bazaar and Barshor and Toba Kakrri.
On the other hand, several vehicles were left stranded in Pishin after heavy rains in and around the city inundated not only low-lying areas but also flooded roads.
In the absence of rescue services, the motorists were left with no other choice but to pull these vehicles out on their own.
On the other hand, the PDMA has predicted that the downpour lashing different parts of Balochistan since April 12 will continue for the next few days.
The spokesman for the Authority has said that so far seven people have died in incidents of lightning and destruction of homes in the province. "The fatalities have been reported from Sorab, Dera Bugti, Pishin, Loralai and Kech," he has informed.
Similarly, he has said, partial damage has been