Bugti wants rescue, relief operation in Gwadar to continue

GWADAR: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti on Sunday directed the administration to continue the operation for rescue and rehabilitation of the people and ensure early drainage of rainwater from the affected areas.

Chief Minister Bugti issued the directives while chairing a high-level meeting to review the damages caused by rains and flood in Gwadar and its surrounding areas. He said the incessant rains had created an unusual situation in Gwadar and the government would provide all necessary assistance to the victims.

He ordered the departments concerned to expedite the rehabilitation and relief activities in the rain-affected areas to protect precious lives and properties.

Commissioner Makran Division Saeed Ahmed Umrani and Deputy Commissioner Kech Aurangzeb Badini informed the meeting that in the recent spell, about 187 rainfall had been recorded in the area. They further said that families affected by the torrential rain were immediately shifted to safer places. They were being provided all necessary assistance, including ration.

The chief minister appreciated the authorities for their timely relief actions and directed them to continue the activities till normal life was restored in the area.

The intensive rain spell has wreaked havoc in Gwadar, with flash floods inundating several villages on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti on Sunday said a committee has been formed to determine the damages caused by the recent floods in Gwadar, which will submit a complete assessment report within 20 days. He said that the process of water drainage from Gwadar city would be completed by Monday and maximum relief would be provided to the flood-hit people. During his visit to Gwadar, Sarfraz Bugti said hundreds of houses were damaged due to torrential rains and floods in the area.

Talking to media persons, the CM said the government would not leave the affected people alone at such a critical time and would provide all possible help to the affected. Pakistan Army, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and other institutions have taken steps by bringing all their resources to help the affected people, CM said.

He appreciated the people of Gwadar the way they have cooperated with the aid agencies in this difficult time. The provincial government was making all-out efforts and utilizing all available resources for the rehabilitation of flood affected, he added.

The chief minister, during his one-day visit to Gwadar, met the flood-affected families and distributed relief items. He said steps would be taken to rehabilitate the flood-hit people after the completion of rescue operation.

Sarfraz Bugti said that emergency measures are being taken to drain out rainwater from the population and restore normal life in the flood-hit areas.

Earlier, Sarfraz Bugti on Sunday reached Gwadar to review the situation caused by heavy rains in the coastal city and measures being taken for the rescue of affected people. He was accompanied by Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs), including Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, Ali Madad Jattak, Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman, Mir Obaid Girgij and Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan on his one-day visit to Gwadar