Eight die due to floods in Balochistan, Sindh
09 September, 2012
QUETTA: Eight people lost their lives in flash floods as rain lashed Nawabshah and Qilla Saifullah for the third consecutive day. Two minors died after the roof of a mud house caved in the old city area of Nawabshah, while 12 members of a family were trapped under the debris of a caved in roof near the Madina Masjid area. Iqra, a 13-year-old girl, was found dead while a young man succumbed to injuries later in the hospital, after locals rescued the family from the debris. The doctors said the others injured in the incident were out of danger. Rainwater has also accumulated in low-lying areas and has not yet been drained out, sources added. Meanwhile, in Qila Saifullah, four members of a family including a woman and a girl, were reported to have swept away by floodwater in Machh stream. Sources added that the surge of floodwater in Machh stream had also washed away gas and water pipelines. Torrential rains have played havoc in other parts of Balochistan as well as countless mud houses collapsed forcing people to shift from areas, including Loni Abad, Kali Kanobi, Kali New Bower and Kali Maghol. Zhob Division Commissioner Ikhtiyar Khan Bangalzai said the situation in the area was under control and no loss of life had been reported in the Amakzai Dam area. He said that no damage was caused to the dam in the recent flooding, adding that rescue teams had been stationed to the area to help the locals. Sources said Katch Ammaq Dam was overflowing and water had started discharging from spillway due to heavy showers. Separately, Thatta city was inundated in knee-deep water mixed with sewerage due to failure of drainage system. Power losses were also witnessed in the city. Most shops in Shahi Bazaar remained closed, affecting business. Farmers also faced difficulties as standing crops particularly vegetables were damaged. Moreover, Flood Forecasting Cell on Saturday monitored low floods in Kabul River at Warsak, with a water discharge of 32,110 cusecs. The Flood Forecasting Cell also reported floods of medium intensity in Panjkora River at Dir and of low intensity in Khiali River at Charsadda with a water discharge of 20,1810 and 25,242 cusecs, respectively. The warning system further said that remaining rivers of the province were flowing normally. End.
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