The Balochistan government has declared a state of emergency as eight of the ten breached dams have burst amid pre-existing flooding due to torrential rainfall during the monsoon spell.
It was reported on July 10 that 10 dams in the province had been breached, and the government issued an alert urging people to stay away from the reservoirs as there was danger of them breaking. Already, the torrential monsoon rain had resulted in flash flooding that had killed more than 77 people.
State of #emergency has been imposed in #Balochistan after 8 dams burst. Heavy floods have killed 77 so far and around Quetta as more rains are expected in the next few days. pic.twitter.com/6gfErL0mwZ
— Naved Baloch (@NavedBaloch2) July 13, 2022
The Tal Dam in Kech district’s Hoshab area was breached on Saturday after being triggered by flash floods, and water from the reservoir flooded nearby settlements and orchards. Authorities moved the affected families to safe shelters, and claimed that while no loss of life was reported, a large area of land got flooded.
Other dams that either got breached or broke down completely include dams in Qila Saifullah, Toba Achakzai, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Muslim Bagh, Pishin and Harnai districts.
In light of the gravity of the situation, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo had ordered the irrigation department and relevant authorities to vigilantly observe the situation of the dam and to deploy machinery and staff for immediate action in case of any serious breach.
The chief secretary was also ordered by Bizenjo to conduct a probe into the use of substandard material in the construction of the dams that wore or broke down completely, questioning why they weren’t able to withstand the monsoon rain.
