GWADAR: Gwadar has been declared a disaster-hit zone in response to the alarming aftermath of recent torrential rains, the Caretaker Provincial Information Minister John Achakzai said on Thursday.
The decision came as Gwadar grappled with the devastating impact of heavy rains, which wreaked havoc in the region, including Kech district and other areas of Balochistan.
The declaration was made following a series of emergency steps taken by the district administration in response to the crisis.
The Caretaker Chief Minister, alongside local officials, swiftly acted upon the situation, inking off on the summary to formally recognize Gwadar as a disaster zone.
The torrential rains disrupted normal life and traffic, especially on the Coastal Highway, severing vital connections between Ormara, Gwadar, and other key regions. The region’s infrastructure suffered major damage, with reports of collapsed boundary walls and roofs of mud houses in different areas.
The severity of the situation prompted the district administration to declare a state of emergency in rain-hit parts. Para-military forces have been deployed to help in rescue and relief activities, aiming to mitigate the impact on affected communities.
Gwadar Experiences Heaviest Downpours Since 2010
Meteorological officials confirmed that Gwadar experienced its heaviest downpours since 2010, recording over 100mm in just twelve hours. The intensity of the downpours is reminiscent of the cyclone-triggered storms that struck the area over a decade ago.