A second powerful monsoon system has hit Northeastern Balochistan, resulting in continuous rainfall. This unusual weather pattern is becoming increasingly problematic for the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), as it predicts more rain in many parts of the country. The current monsoon system has caused severe disruptions, including deaths and infrastructure damage in different localities.
Weather Forecast and Affected Areas
The Met Office reports that the monsoonal trough covers a wide area, with showers predicted over Jammu and Kashmir, northeastern Punjab, the Pothohar region, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Gilgit-Baltistan, and northeast Balochistan. It has particularly cited the second strong westerly wave in northeastern Balochistan, which may intensify further into heavy downpour events during the next 12-24 hours.
Rainfall will pick up across northeastern Balochistan on Thursday night and continue until Friday evening. In addition to causing urban flooding, this could also generate flash flooding in local nullahs and streams in the abovementioned areas.
Heavy rains have raised flash flood risk and complicated prospects for helping people already affected by unusually heavy previous rainfall. Officials brace for large-scale evacuations, advising residents to avoid moving along water banks or crossing flooded nullahs to stay safe from the dangers of fast-flowing water.
Impact of Rains on Balochistan
The province continues bearing the brunt whenever there’s torrential rain, especially during Monsoon season when rivers overflow their banks, inundating settlements nearby and resulting in flash floods. This year alone, since July 1st, 19 persons have lost their lives due to various rain-related incidents across the province.
Floodwater has washed away roads, rendering scores of villages and preventing rescuers from reaching stranded populations requiring immediate relief assistance. This compounded a dire situation where thousands remained cut off without food, drinking water, or medical supplies. The region remains on high alert as more rain is expected over the coming days, which could worsen the current situation.
Heroic Rescue Efforts
Among tales of woe and destruction, a few stories shine through as beacons of hope in an otherwise gloomy narrative. In one story, an unknown local driver reportedly risked his life to save seven people, including women and children, trapped in their vehicle amid high floodwaters raging down from the mountains near the Kolak River bank in Turbat, Kech District.
Flooding in Nushki and Bela
In other districts like Nushki and Bela, floods have severed links between dozens of villages, leaving them marooned without contact with the outside world for several days since heavy rains began lashing these parts. The farming sector, too, has taken a severe beating, with crops being washed away, thus bringing a blow to the agriculture-based economy this region depends heavily on.
The second monsoon system in northeastern Balochistan continues to wreak havoc, causing loss of life, infrastructure damage, disruption of normal routine, and other problems due to heavy rains. Sustained attention and concerted relief efforts are necessary to help all affected communities get back on their feet, especially with no signs of relief anytime soon.
