New Delhi: The massive floods in Balochistan have killed 124 people and injured over 1,000. Over 10,000 houses are damaged while thousands of families have been relocated to higher places from the flood-affected districts.
Irrigation minister in the provincial government, Muhammad Khan Lehri told journalists that at least 12 dams in Balochistan were washed away due to flash floods caused by heavy rains. “We have ordered an inquiry to find out how those dams in the province were washed away,” Lehri said. The inquiry will also find out whether other dams too have sustained damage.
The government, however, rejected allegations that the dams were washed away due to sub-standard construction and corruption. The minister said that Balochistan has 1,020 dams of which these handful got washed away.
The minister said that Balochistan has received “500 per cent more rains than average”. The unprecedented floods in Balochistan have also washed away 700 kms of roads, bridges and highways besides inundating farmland.
Both the governments at the provincial level and at Islamabad have come in for severe criticism. The Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) said that while people in Balochistan were suffering due to floods, the country’s top politicians were busy fighting political battles instead of helping the victims. BAP founder Saeed Ahmed Hashmi said that the federal government should invite international welfare organisations to help the flood-affected in Balochistan.
The Balochistan Post reported that even former chief minister of Balochistan, Jam Kamal Khan was critical of governmental efforts in helping the flood victims. Khan said that the provincial government is failing to provide relief to the flood-affected people.
Meanwhile, a local voluntary organisation, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee has called for volunteers. Amna Baloch, the organizer of the BYC Karachi appealed to people to raise funds and participate in the volunteer project.
IANS