Dozens dead, hundreds missing in Balochistan flash floods

Dozens of people have been killed, while hundreds are missing as torrential rains lashed south-western Pakistani province of Balochistan causing flash floods, even as relief and rescue operations by Pakistan military continued.

Islamabad, July 1 : Dozens of people have been killed, while hundreds are missing as torrential rains lashed south-western Pakistani province of Balochistan causing flash floods, even as relief and rescue operations by Pakistan military continued.

Heavy rains have made some 200,000 people homeless.

According to relief commissioner Ali Gul Kurd, 90 per cent of crop, cattle and houses have been destroyed affecting 1.5 million people in ten districts.

"At least 54 people have died in the past six days, 30 of them in Turbat District alone where many villages were submerged under more than three feet of water," Kurd was quoted by The News as saying.

Navy boats, helicopters and aircraft are taking food, tents, blankets and medicines to affected areas, including the coastal towns of Gwadar, Pasni and Ormara, said Kurd.

Balochistan Governor Owais Ghani said relief operation took off in full swing as weather improved on Sunday.

"There are fears of another heavy spell of rain in coming days and we want to rush food and other relief goods to as many people as possible before any other calamity hits the province," he said.

In the last four days Army Aviation helicopters have flown 44 Sorties in flood hit areas of Balochistan to rescue thousands of people.

Ten Army helicopters carried out relief and rescue operations in Turbat, Nasirabad, Nodez, Gabban, Kalatuk, Solaband, Sibbi, Jacobabad, Jhal Magsi, Buleda and Mand.

Pakistan Army Engineering and troops of Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) are working round the clock to repair communication links in flood hit areas.

Meanwhile, a 36-member-medical team comprising of six Army Doctors and 30 paramedics has reached Turbat.

ANI