Continuous heavy rains have wreaked havoc across Balochistan, submerging parts of Quetta and Gwadar, and disrupting ground connectivity as roads and highways were washed away on Thursday.
According to the Meteorological Department, Gwadar recorded the highest rainfall with 80 millimeters in the past 24 hours. Ormara received 77 millimeters, followed by Pasni with 66 millimeters, and Jiwani with 40 millimeters.
In Balochistan’s capital, Quetta, 12mm of rain was recorded, Panjgur received 15mm, and both Kalat and Turbat recorded 11mm. Additionally, Khuzdar, Naukandi, and Zhob each received 5mm, Dalbandin 4mm, and Lasbela 3mm.
The continuous downpour, which started on Wednesday, has inundated homes and closed major roads, trapping residents in the coastal areas of Balochistan. In Gwadar’s Tehsil Pasni, the situation is dire as over a hundred fishermen’s boats were swept into the sea, resulting in significant financial losses.
Frustrated residents protested the lack of rescue operations by blocking the main highway in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Gwadar. Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rahman, the leader of the ‘Haq Do Tehreek’ and MPA from Gwadar, joined the protesting residents to lend support.
Moreover, flooding caused the Basol Stream bridge to wash away, and the Makuran Coastal Highway, which connects the port city of Gwadar to Karachi, was shut down in two places, severing land connections with Karachi.
The SP Coastal Highway confirmed that traffic between Gwadar and Karachi has been suspended near the ‘Princess of Hope’ as the road was blocked by floods, and other routes were also washed away.
The downpour also severely affected the areas of Turbat, Panjgur, Noshki, Pishin, and Chaman. Flooding in Chaman caused roads to wash away, and rainwater entered homes. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), other potentially affected areas include Awaran, Kharan, Washuk, Mastung, Naseerabad, Chagai, Quetta, Pishin, Harnai, Loralai, Qila Saifullah, Shirani, Zhob, Ziarat, Duki, Kohlu, Dera Bugti, and Jhal Magsi.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority has issued warnings for these areas, noting that numerous settlements have been submerged and many buildings have sustained serious damage. Calls are growing for these regions to be declared disaster zones to expedite relief efforts.