Contaminated water claims six lives in Balochistan

ISPR says Army teams treat patients in far-off village, shift them to Hub hospital in helicopter

QUETTA: At least six people have died within four days after drinking contaminated water in District Awaran of Balochistan, Commissioner Kalat Division Muhammad Hashim Ghilzai said on Sunday.

He said currently 120 patients were being treated at Jam Ghulam Qadir Hospital, adding that the incident occurred in Tranchik, a village on the outskirts of Awaran. The people of the area drank contaminated water present in a pothole on May 16.

In order to provide aid to the people, the Pakistan Army conducted a special relief and rescue operation in epidemic affected far-flung areas of Awaran on the request of government of Balochistan, according to an Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) statement.

The special Army medical teams with adequate medicines reached Awaran and treated the patients, the statement said adding that special helicopter was used to evacuate a large number of critical patients of gastro diseases from Tranchik to Hub hospital to provide them with medical relief.

In addition around thousands of litres of drinkable water, mosquito nets, ration packs, water tanks and hygiene kits were distributed amongst the local populace, added the ISPR statement.

Balochistan has been suffering from acute water shortage over the years as the vast stretches of desert ares are facing worst climate changes as it receives comparatively low rain. The scorching heat in the province further adds to the woes of the people.