Quetta declared calamity hit area as 13 dead in rain-related incidents

QUETTA: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has declared Quetta a calamity-hit area after 13 people were killed during heavy rainfall in the Balochistan capital.

According to details, the heavy downpour started early in the morning and continued with intervals in various localities of the provincial capital, killing nine people – including three women.

The rain also inundated almost all main roads resulting in traffic jams on the roads. Rainfall also damaged over 300 mud-walled homes in Sariab, Customs, Pashtoonabad, Nawan Killi, and other neighborhoods of Quetta.

The provincial government has put all departments on high alert to cope with the situation in the aftermath of the heavy rainfall in Quetta and other parts of the province.

Meanwhile, the PDMA has instructed the Deputy Commissioners to take precautionary measures after Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) forecasted more rains in Quetta and other parts of the province.

Heavy rains are forecast in Quetta, Zhob, Ziarat, Barkhan, Loralai, Kohlu till July 7, while Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Naseerabad, Sibi Panjgur, Turbat, Pasni Gwadar, and Ormara are also expected to receive rain.