A dust storm approaches the city of Normal, Illinois, USA, on May 16, 2025, in this screenshot obtained from a social media video. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD/QUETTA:
As much of the country continues to count the cost of the recent deadly rains, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Sunday warned of another
widespread spell of rain, gales and thunderstorms
It is expected to hit northeastern Balochistan, lower Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and southern Punjab on April 6 (today), raising fears of further disruption and damage.
The warning comes as Balochistan, still struggling to recover from the devastation of recent downpours that claimed 12 lives, including eight children, braces for another intense weather system that has already entered the province since the afternoon of April 5 and is likely to persist until April 7.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the previous episode left 15 people injured, including 10 children, four women and one man, while the floods damaged 160 houses (33 completely destroyed and 127 partially affected) in districts such as Kech, Harnai, Kohlu, Loralai, Jaffarabad, Kachhi, Musakhel, Duki and Zhob.
Financial losses were also reported in Naseerabad, Chaman, Quetta, Hub, Awaran, Lasbela and Pishin.
According to officials, rescue teams, district administrations and Frontier Corps personnel continue to engage in relief operations even as authorities go on high alert mode for the incoming spell.
The PMD and PDMA have warned that the new system, driven by strong westerly winds, is likely to affect almost all major districts of Balochistan, causing thunderstorms, strong winds, heavy rains and hailstorms.
Northern and central districts including Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Noshki, Zhob, Kalat, Khuzdar, Mastung, Sibi and Kohlu are expected to be the worst affected, while southern and coastal areas such as Gwadar, Pasni, Ormara, Turbat, Panjgur and Lasbela could also experience significant rainfall.
Authorities have warned of flash flooding in local streams, urban flooding and landslides in mountainous terrain, posing serious risks to settlements near waterways and to those traveling on mountainous routes.
Residents have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly in vulnerable areas, keep children indoors during storms and stay away from exposed electrical infrastructure and weak structures.
Emergency services, ambulances and relief supplies have been put on standby, and citizens are advised to contact rescue services in case of emergencies.
In Quetta, dark clouds covered the city as it began to rain, causing power outages in several areas, while disruptions in gas supplies, particularly nighttime load shedding, have compounded public hardship, prompting calls for help during the current weather period.
Meanwhile, the situation in the KP remains equally grim as the provincial disaster management authority reported 50 deaths, including 26 children, and 111 injuries in rain-related incidents since March 25.
