QUETTA: Torrential monsoon rains and flash floods continued in many districts of Balochistan, causing more damages in different areas and suspending traffic on highways on Sunday. Two girls drowned in floodwater in Kech.

The Zhob-Dera Ismail Khan road remained closed for traffic due to land sliding at the highway as the Suleman mountains range received heavy rains for several hours. “Big boulders and mud fell on the Zhob-Dera Ismail Khan highway which suspended all kinds of traffic,” Levies officials in Zhob said.

The traffic was restored partially at the Zhob-Dera Ismail Khan road in the afternoon after boulders were removed. The road and works department sent heavy machinery to remove mud and other hurdles from the highway.

They said Karez Qamaruddin and Sambaza areas close to Afghan border also received rains which flooded seasonal streams.

Other areas, including Nasirabad, Jaffarabad, Sohbatpur and Jhal Magsi districts in central Balochistan also received heavy rains. Though no loss of life and major damage to property were reported from rain-affected areas, some downstream areas were facing flood-like situation.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2022