QUETTA/ISLAMABAD: Torrential rains have caused widespread destruction in Balochistan, cutting off the province from many parts of the country.
In several parts of Balochistan, low-lying areas have been inundated, leading to severe flooding, and the powerful floodwaters have washed away everything in their path, disrupting the communication system.
The districts of Chaman and Qila Abdullah are among the hardest hit. In Zamanabad, floodwaters entered homes, and strong winds blew away solar panels.
In Jafarabad, electric poles were knocked down, further complicating the situation. The Quetta-Chaman railway line was swept away by floodwaters, resulting in the suspension of train services.
In Mastung, flooding has caused significant damage.
At least 10 people were injured in various accidents, and homes in several areas were damaged. A woman was swept away by the flood in the Kurdgap area of Mastung, and her body was later recovered.
Heavy rain in Machh has led to severe traffic jams, as the low-lying areas of the Bolan National Highway were submerged.
The National Highway Authority (NHA) has advised people against travel on the Bolan Highway, as Balochistan remains cut off from other parts of the country due to the floods. The Quetta-Taftan and Sibi highways have also been closed due to flooding.
Meanwhile, rains continue to affect most parts of the country, as the Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued warnings of potential flooding in several areas due to ongoing rainfall.
The department predicted rain with strong winds and thunderstorms in Sindh, northeastern and south Punjab, eastern Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Potohar, and Kashmir within the next 24 hours.
The meteorological department has also issued a warning for potential flooding in rain-fed rivers and mountainous areas in DG Khan, Koh Sulaiman, Harnai, Sibi, Jhal Magsi, Kohlu, Nasirabad, Mastung, Kalat, Kharan, Jafarabad, Zhob, Bolan, Khuzdar, Barkhan, Lasbela, Awaran, Dadu, Murree, Galiyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Nowshera, Swabi, northeastern Punjab, and Kashmir.
It said that heavy rains could also lead to flooding in low-lying areas of Lower Sindh, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Nowshera, and Peshawar.
Over the last 24 hours, heavy rain has been reported in parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Also read: Torrential rains: Travel advisory issued for northern areas
Mwanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has released a report detailing the damage and losses caused by heavy rains across the country from July 1 to August 17.
According to the report, 189 people have lost their lives since July 1, including 68 in Punjab, 65 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 32 in Sindh, 15 in Balochistan, 4 in Gilgit-Baltistan, and five in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Additionally, it said, 333 people have been injured in the monsoon rains, including 137 children and 85 women.
The rains and floods have completely destroyed 645 houses and partially damaged 1,419 others. Eight schools and 35 bridges have also been damaged, while 323 animals have perished in the floods, the report said.