Seven dead as rains, flash floods ravage Balochistan

• Embankment breach in Kachhi destroys over 100 houses; 400 acres of farmland submerged
• Major roads, highways washed away; multiple internal roads blocked

QUETTA / DERA MURAD JAMALI: Rains and flash floods have caused widespread devastation across Balochistan, leaving seven people dead, four injured, and hundr­e­­ds of homes, livestock, and crops destroyed, according to the Provincial Disa­ster Management Authority.

The floods have severely affected districts, including Harnai, Kohlu, Turbat, Jaffarabad, Loralai, Kach­­hi, Nasirabad, Jhal Magsi, Dera Bugti, Sibi, and Bolan.

The PDMA report indicated that an embankm­e­­nt breach in Balanari, Ka­­chhi, destroyed over 100 houses, killed more than 50 livestock, and submer­ged approximately 400 acres of agricultural land. In Harnai and Qila Abd­ullah, around 100 houses were damaged, while the Gandawah–Notal road in Jhal Magsi was blocked by flood surges. Lightning strikes claimed two lives in Loralai and Kachhi, while one person died in Kohlu due to a roof coll­a­pse, another in Loralai due to a wall collapse, a child drowned in Jaffa­r­abad, and two people were swept away in Kech.

Heavy rainfall also da­­maged major roads. Sec­tions of the Harnai-Quetta and Quetta-Sanjawi natio­nal highways were washed away, and multiple internal roads were affected. Streams in Harnai and Chaman experienced flash floods, disrupting daily life.

The PDMA confirmed that emergency teams, in coordination with district administrations, are conducting rescue and relief operations.

In Qila Abdullah, a mini-coach carrying 15 women and children was trapped in floodwaters but rescued under the supervision of the Deputy Com­missioner with PDMA assistance. Rescue operations continue in Goth Taj Habib and Goth Balochani in Kachhi, where embankment repairs are underway.

Thousands of livestock have died, and standing crops, including wheat, chickpeas, and mustard, have been destroyed. Roads connecting Notal, Gandawah, Bolan, Yarokazoi, and Jhal Magsi have been cut off, isolating communities and halting traffic between Sindh and Balochistan.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2026