Chief Minister Bugti declares urban flood emergency

Heavy downpours have wreaked havoc in Balochistan, prompting the provincial government to declare an urban flooding emergency in the capital city of Quetta. The relentless rain has persisted for weeks, leading to the closure of both public and private schools in the area. The inclement weather has not only affected Quetta but also various other parts of Balochistan, such as Makran and coastal regions, where thunderstorms have been prevalent.

The severe weather conditions have tragically resulted in 10 fatalities, with two additional deaths reported in the Kech district due to lightning strikes and a roof collapse incident. In response to the escalating crisis, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has invoked an 'urban flood emergency' in Quetta under the Balochistan Natural Calamity (Prevention and Relief Act).

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti presided over a virtual meeting to assess the situation and oversee the government's rescue efforts. The government has taken decisive action by suspending the holidays of all Quetta staff and officers, while also mandating the closure of all public and private schools in the province for Monday and Tuesday.

As the heavy rain and thunderstorms persist, the death toll in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has climbed to 39, with 12 fatalities reported on Sunday alone. The authorities are working tirelessly to manage the crisis and provide assistance to those affected by the adverse weather conditions.