Severe Flooding Hits Balochistan: Urgent Aid Needed as Communities Struggle

Due to continuous heavy rainfall over the past week, Balochistan province in Pakistan is now grappling with a severe flood situation. The Baloch community, already facing a deteriorating situation, now confronts an even graver threat. The inadequate infrastructure in Balochistan has hindered the delivery of relief aid to the affected populace.

Presently, Baloch rights organizations and social workers represent the primary source of hope for the people. In a social media post by ‘X’, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) mentioned that “Baloch Solidarity Committee leader Dr. Mahrang Baloch and other colleagues are presently in Gwadar, providing updates on the flood situation.”

The post continued, expressing concerns about the situation in Gwadar following the flood. It highlighted the worsening conditions and criticized the negligence of state institutions, emphasizing the urgent need for assistance from the Baloch nation. Dr. Mahrang Baloch stressed the immediate requirement for medicine, medical personnel, water extraction equipment, and essential food items in Gwadar.

According to a report by Dawn, Gwadar district experienced approximately 180 millimeters of rainfall over the past two days, leading to widespread disruption and displacing hundreds of people. Floodwaters inundated homes and commercial establishments, causing significant damage. The coastal highway between Karachi and Gwadar remained impassable due to extensive road damage.

The report also detailed how families were forced to evacuate their homes as floodwaters entered, leaving many homeless. Residents, such as Hayatullah Baloch, recounted losing their belongings and described their homes as uninhabitable.

The city’s sewerage system became overwhelmed, causing sewage to overflow onto roads. With no proper drainage system in place, only a few pumps were operational to address the flooding. Additionally, the water supply system was severely impacted, exacerbating the shortage of drinking water.

Furthermore, the Gwadar-Peshkan road and several dykes in surrounding areas were washed away by the floods, compounding the challenges faced by the community.