An inspection team formed by the Chief Minister of Balochistan Abdul Quddus Bezanjo has revealed that the dams broke out during the monsoon rains in Balochistan owing to poor construction.
An investigation was launched by an inspection team formed by the CM to unveil the facts behind the collapse of more than a hundred reservoirs in Balochistan during the monsoon rains. The heavy rainfall and floods continued for at least three months and caused massive financial and human losses to hundreds of thousands of people across Balochistan.
According to some reports, all 35 districts of Balochistan were affected by the floods, and at least 323 deaths were reported in rain-related incidents. Whereas, the ensuing water-borne diseases killed 38 more. Considering this huge failure, the government of Balochistan then decided to launch an investigation to find out the reasons caused the breach of dams on such a massive scale.
The investigation has found that 27 out of 120 dams have been completely broken while the rest of the dams were partially damaged due to the heavy rainfall; out of which fifteen dams were under construction and were part of the development schemes and twelve were active dams.
The investigation report has been submitted by the inspection team to the Chief Secretary. An estimation of Rs 5 billion loss has been faced by the government of Balochistan in the mentioned loophole.
According to the disclosed report by the inspection team, the majority of the active dams, which collapsed, were poorly constructed and there were multiple technical errors in their construction. The Machka Dam of Qila Abdullah and Kadi Dam of Loralai were the worst examples of poor construction. Spillways were not properly constructed and technical faults were discovered in the majority of the collapsed dams.
The sites of collapsed dams were poorly selected, and their construction was largely flawed due to which the dams were unable to bear such a huge round of water. The alerts of climate change have not been taken into account by the authorities, the report stated.
Officials and consultants of the Irrigation Department of Balochistan are being held responsible by the inspection team for the collapse and poor construction of dams.
It is to be noted that the heavy rainfall and collapse of dams left thousands of people homeless in Balochistan. Most of the victims are still in desperate need of support. Rains also damaged dozens of bridges and roads in many parts of Balochistan. As per reports, the Pakistan government has received massive foreign aid for the flood-affected areas which has not been utilized and distributed by the federal government yet to provide relief to the affected people. The government promises for the reconstruction of flood-affected houses have yet to be fulfilled.