GWADAR - Emergency was imposed by local administration in Gwadar as Balochistan’s coastal belt, Turbat and other areas received heavy rainfall with thunderstorm on Tuesday.

Rainwater entered in houses in southern part of the port city of Gwadar and in shops at Airport Road and Ladies Market. Power supply also suspended as the rain lashed the city.

Coastal towns of Jiwani, Pasni and Ormara also received heavy rainfall.

Kohlu and outskirts also received sporadic rain. The mercury dropped below the freezing point amid rainfall with frosty winds. Rainwater entered in populated areas in Turbat disrupting land link of the region with other parts.

Heavy rainfall damaged several houses in Dasht Bilingor, Dalesar, Balkross and Kashap.

The authorities have sent emergency teams for relief operations in Bilingor, officials said. Heavy rainfall wreaked havoc in various part of Kech as rainfall, which started at 9:00 in the night, was continued in the region without break.

The Met Office had on Monday predicted heavy rainfall with stormy winds in coastal belt of Makran and other parts of Balochistan.

The wet spell in the coastal belt of Balochistan will end by January 06, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said in its weather report.

Provincial fisheries department had advised fishermen not to venture into the sea during the rough weather.

Deputy Commissioner Gwadar Capt (R) Jamil Ahmed Baloch on Tuesday said that an emergency had been declared in Gwadar city as several houses in the city had been damaged due to heavy rains.

He expressed these views while visiting several areas of Gwadar saying that rainwater had accumulated in several houses of Gwadar city and rescue operation was being carried out in rain-affected areas.

Flood rescue operation is underway at various places in the city including Gwadar UC South, he said adding that the rescue operation was conducted by Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Coast Guard and Levies Force personnel.

He said Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) and Gwadar Municipal Committee (GMC)’s staff and machinery were also engaged in rescue operation in the city.

He said that a private housing project Gwadar Golf City staff was also engaged in providing relief to the citizens. 

He said that other housing projects in Gwadar would shift machinery to Gwadar city as soon as possible for taking part in the rescue operation so that the relief process could be expedited.  He said all government officials and staff have been directed to ensure presence in their respective areas to tackle any untoward situation.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Kalat Division Dawood Khan Khilji on Tuesday set up a flood control room in his office to tackle any emergency situation and ensure immediate relief in view of possible heavy rains.

Meanwhile, the Met office has forecast rainy weather in most parts of Balochistan during next 24 hours.  While snowfall predicted for hilly areas including Ziarat, Killa Saifullah, Killa Abdullah, Quetta, Pishin and Zhob District. Moderate to heavy down pour generate flash flood in Gwadar, Awaran, Kech, Panjgur, Lasbella, Surab, Harnai Khuzdar and its surrounding areas. 

The Met office also requested that all the authorities concerned to remain alert during the period of rain and snowfalls areas of the province.

According to the Met Office, the minimum temperature in Quetta was recorded at 6.5 degrees centigrade and -0.9 degrees centigrade in Ziarat.

Rain received in Barkhan, Dalbandin, Gawadar, Kalat, Khuzdar, Nokkundi, Panjgur, Quetta, Sibbi, Turbat, Ormara, Uthal, Usta Muhammad, Uthal, Muslim Bagh, pishin and Ziarat districts. University of Turbat (UoT) has postponed its all examinations which were scheduled on January 5, 6 owing to torrential rain and flash flood in Makran Division and its surrounding areas on Tuesday. 

According to UoT press release, exams of BS, MA/MSc & MS/MPhil programmes, including AD/BA/B.Sc, of affiliated colleges were postponed. However, all examinations scheduled on January 7 and onward would be held as per the schedule. 

The postponed paper of AD/BA/B.Sc. of affiliated colleges will be held on January 7.

 

 

 while the postponed papers of BS, MA/MSc & MS/MPhil programmes will be rescheduled later on. The administrative and teaching staff of the UoT will remain present in university on January 5, 6.