The heavy monsoon rains continue to unleash devastation in Balochistan in the past few days, leaving 9 dead and hundreds stranded. The rains have pummeled almost every corner of Balochistan, inundating civilian settlements and washing away people’s homes and belongings. Highways and bridges have been destroyed and the traffic in and out of Balochistan has been terribly affected.
Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited a few flood-affected areas of Balochistan on Saturday and reviewed the rescue and relief operations. Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb said that the premier had first landed in Jacobaadad where he was briefed by the officials of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority of Balochistan. The prime minister reportedly interacted with the flood-affected locals and announced compensations for their losses. He said that the federal government will provide compensation of Rs1 million each to families who lost any relative. He said that a compensation of Rs500,000 will be paid to those whose houses were completely destroyed in the rains and Rs200,000 to those whose houses were destroyed by over 30 per cent.
The heavy monsoon downpour has pummelled much of the region, but Balochistan has been uncharacteristically affected during the monsoon season. In the last 24 hours, nine of a family drowned after they were washed away by the floods. The deceased include seven children and a woman.
According to the Balochistan chief secretary, the heavy rains have killed 124 people and damaged 10,000 houses since June 1. He said that the rains have also damaged over 565 km of roads and almost 200,000 acres of agricultural land. 17,500 people were affected by the heavy rains and flash floods, he said.
Section 144 has been imposed in Balochistan and the citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel for at least 10 days.