Six Dead, 25 Injured As Heavy Rains Batter Balochistan

The death toll from the heavy rains battering Balochistan for the past five days has risen to six, with 25 others injured in various incidents across the province, Geo News reported on Sunday. The torrential downpour has caused significant disruptions, including the closure of the N-70 highway, which connects Balochistan to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that a large number of vehicles are stranded at Dhana Sar due to landslides triggered by the heavy rains in eastern Balochistan's Koh-e-Suleman mountain range. The PDMA has instructed traffic from Peshawar, Swat, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi to stop at Dera Ismail Khan due to the blockage of the Zhob-DI Khan Road at Dhana Sar.

Why This Matters: Meanwhile, the administrations of Zhob and Qilla Saifullah have been directed to halt the flow of traffic to ensure safety. Rescue and relief teams have been dispatched to assist stranded travelers and mitigate the impact of the severe weather.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted more rain in several areas across the country, including Islamabad, Murree, Guliat, Gujranwala, Narowal, Sialkot, Balakot, Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Swat. Additionally, several areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan's Khuzdar, Awaran, and Lasbela are also likely to witness downpours.

Earlier this week, the Met Office indicated that moist currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are penetrating southern and eastern parts of the country, bringing thundershowers with gusty winds to parts of Sindh and other provinces.

This is not the first time in 2024 that Balochistan has experienced heavy rains resulting in loss of life and landslides. In April, a rain and flood emergency was declared by the provincial government due to continuous heavy rains, which killed and injured several people in different districts of Balochistan. Prior to that, torrential rains in March battered the port city of Gwadar, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to announce a relief package during his visit. More than 40 people were killed in various incidents due to the heavy rains.

Key Takeaways:

• Six deaths and 25 injuries reported due to heavy rains in Balochistan.
• N-70 highway closed; vehicles stranded at Dhana Sar due to landslides.
• Rescue teams dispatched to assist stranded travelers and mitigate impact.
• More rain expected in various regions, including Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
• Previous heavy rains in 2024 caused significant damage and loss of life in Balochistan.