Quetta: Relentless rains continued to pound Quetta yesterday, leaving Balochistan’s capital cut off from rest of country and hampering all sorts of communications in city. Severe overnight rains hampered rescue efforts and caused internet and mobile phone service outages, aside from disrupting city’s air and land routes.

A key railway bridge which connects Quetta to other parts of Pakistan collapsed and flight operations to and from provincial capital’s airport were also suspended. Railway bridge collapsed near Mach area in Bolan district in early hours of Thursday, which also suspended trade with Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey, a Pakistan Railways official said.

“Authorities have launched efforts to repair bridge that was built by British in 1885,” official added. In light of rapidly worsening situation, city administration issued a flood warning and asked people to contact two emergency numbers 03368186794 and 03361187348 in case of need. Unfortunately, with no electricity since last night, police personnel and civil administration are not reachable on issued numbers. Pakistan Disaster Management Authority official Faisal Tariq said that hundreds were stranded due to floods after heavy rains, however, rescue efforts were underway to take people to safer places.

PTA reports outages in several cities. In a statement, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority said that due to torrential rains and flash floods, company’s optical fibre cable had been damaged. PTA said that voice and data services have been impacted in Quetta, Ziarat, Khuzdar, Loralai, Pashin, Chaman, Panjgor, Zhob, Qila Saifullah and Qila Abdullah. “Efforts are being made to resolve this unprecedented situation. PTA is monitoring situation and further updates will be shared,” it added.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 27 2022

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