17 die as snowfall, floods disrupt life in Balochistan

QUETTA: At least 17 persons have died and several sustained injuries in the past three days as heavy rains and snowfall struck different parts of Balochistan province, disrupting road traffic.

Authorities are struggling to clear and reopen major roads and evacuate people to safer places amid heavy snowfall, rains and flash floods, as a state of emergency has been declared in seven districts of the province.

Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan said the provincial government was fully activated to reopen roads and ensure provision of all possible help to the affected people. He added in this regard an emergency had been declared in seven districts. He said army’s help would be sought to rescue people in flood-hit Nukandi area.

According to reports, 17 people — six in Qilla Abdullah, eight in Zhob and three in Pishin — died in roof collapse incidents after heavy snowfall during the three days. More than a dozen people also sustained injuries in road accidents and roof collapse incidents in several part of the province.

According to officials, vehicles were stranded in Ziarat, Mastung, Qilla Saifullah, Qilla Abdullah, Harnai and Bolan due to heavy snowfall.

Meanwhile, five people from a same family suffocated to death due to gas leakage from a room heater, rescue officials said.