- Instructions issued to all commissioners.
- 15 houses destroyed in the floods.
- PMD says more rain expected in Balochistan.
At least 11 people have been killed in lightning incidents in Balochistan and Punjab as heavy rains hit the provinces, officials said Saturday, with more downpour expected to hit the nation.
Four people were killed in lightning incidents in Surab, Dera Bugti, and Pishin districts of Balochistan after westerly waves entered the province, officials said. Lighting struck two youths, Farid Ahmed and Jabir Ahmed, sitting in a garden of Tanak area in Surab district, killing them on the spot, while one other was injured. Meanwhile, one person died in Pishin district and another in Dera Bugti district by lightning.
In Rahim Yar Khan district, two children died in Basti Kalwar, one person died in Thul Hassan and a couple died in Basti Khokhran Feroza due to lightning. While one person died in Khairpur Daha and an eight-year-old child in Chak-113 area of Bahawalpur district by lightning.
Rains, thunderstorms, and dusty winds have affected almost the entire Balochistan and some parts of Punjab. Quetta also received heavy rainfall, breaking the spell of blistering weather and turning the weather pleasant.
Electricity breakdown on scores of feeders plunged the cities into darkness with no power in most of the areas in Quetta since last afternoon.
Meanwhile, the weather became cold because of hailstorm in Washuk, Khuzdar, Surab, Kalat, Mastung, Nushki, Bolan and Pashin. Whereas Nushki, Kolpur and Mastung experienced rain with thunder and lightning.
Rainwater drains are feared to get flooded soon as Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Mosakhel, Kohlu, Sibbi, Jhal Magsi, Loralai, Ziarat, Quetta, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Lasbela, Qalat, Khuzdar, Ziarat, Muslim Bagh, Turbat, Harnai, Naseerabad, Jafferabad, Chaghi, Panjgur, Gwadar and Ketch experienced intermitted heavy rains and the districts are expected to receive more in next 48 hours.
On the other hand, the spokesperson of the Balochistan government said instructions have been issued to all commissioners and deputy commissioners viewing the unusual rains and weather conditions in the province.
The district disaster management authorities have been alerted while Chief Minister Sardar Sarfaraz Bugti has ordered action to remove encroachments from all natural drainage channels, he said.
More rains expected; flood destroys multiple houses
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said more rain was expected in Kohlu, Quetta, Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Mosakhel, Sibbi, Jhal Magsi, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Lasbela, Qalat Khuzdar, Ketch, Harnai, Nasirabad, Jafirabad, Chaghi, Panjgur and Gawadar.
Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Jahanzaib Khan said Hamidabad area of Pishin has been flooded after rain.
At least 15 houses were destroyed in the flood, while people were being evacuated to a safe location, he said.
Khan said two PDMA teams and heavy machinery had been dispatched to the affected area.
The PMD said Zhob received 40mm rain, Quetta 22mm, Barkhan 9mm and Panjgur 1mm during the last 24 hours.
