Heavy rains cause flooding, structures collapse in Gwadar

GWADAR: Intense rainfall have wreaked havoc in Gwadar and its surrounding regions with several houses collapsing under the weight of the rain, the Commissioner of Makran Division reported late on Tuesday.

According to the commissioner, measures were taken to ensure the safety of affected residents, with approximately 40 people relocated to safer regions.

The commissioner said that essential aid including tents, food, and medical supplies were being provided to the displaced victims.

Read more: Caretaker government approves construction of gas pipeline from Iran to Gwadar

The heavy rainfall resulted in extensive waterlogging on roads across Gwadar, creating a nuisance for the residents. Authorities pre-emptively issued a ban on fishermen going to sea three days prior to the start of the rains.

Earlier, alerts issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned of potential flash floods in Balochistan, attributing the risk to heavy rain and snowfall in districts including Gwadar, Ketch, Panjgur, and Awaran.

In response to the crisis, the Caretaker Chief Minister of Balochistan expressed regret over the damage inflicted by the relentless rains in Gwadar. He directed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and district administration to coordinate rescue efforts.

However, rescue operations face challenges due to submerged routes, hindering the movement of emergency response teams. The Chief Minister instructed the district administration to prioritise the restoration of vital infrastructure, including roads, as soon as water levels recede.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, expressed his concerns over the dire situation in Gwadar. He said that emergency relief measures were needed to address the post-rain destruction, and called for \providing assistance to the affected residents immediately.

Bhutto urged the relevant authorities to take immediate action in extending aid to the affected people of Gwadar. He also called for the public to come together and support those impacted by the disaster.