Gwadar has been declared “calamity-hit” after hours-long torrential rains triggered flash floods and inundated most parts of the port city, Balochistan’s interim Information Minister Jan Achakzai announced Thursday.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Gwadar has received over 183mm of rain in the last two days, crippling daily life and rendering hundreds of people homeless.
In a statement, Achakzai said: “Gwadar has been declared calamity-hit due to alarming situation following the recent heavy rainfalls.”
He announced that caretaker Balochistan Chief Minister Ali Mardan Domki had approved a summary in this regard.
Earlier today, the port city continued to receive heavy showers for the third consecutive day. It is feared that water will head towards the part of the city after flood protection bunds are breached in Nagore.
A rain-producing system entered the country through Balochistan on February 25, under which parts of the province and upper areas received heavy downpours and windstorms.
The rainwater entered houses and shops, driving people out of their shelters. Videos showed the entire coastal town heavily inundated with rainwater gushing down on the roads and vehicles making their way through knee-deep water.
Following the record rainfall, the district administration in Gwadar declared a state of emergency.
A day earlier, PDMA Director General (DG) Jahanzaib Khan Ghorezai said rescue teams were taking part in the relief operations.
