A dust storm approaches the town of Normal, Illinois, USA, on May 16, 2025, in this screenshot from a social media video. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD/QUETTA:
With large parts of the country still counting the cost of the latest deadly rains, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Sunday warned of another
widespread rain, wind and thundershowers
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 rains that killed 12 people, including eight children, is bracing for another intense weather system that has already entered the province since April 5 evening and is likely to last until April 7.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), 15 people were injured, among them 10 children, four women and one man, while floods damaged 160 houses – 33 completely destroyed and 127 partially affected – across districts including Kech, Harnai, Kohlu, Loralai, Duhikib, K., Musakho, Jaffarabad and Zak.
Economic losses were also reported from Naseerabad, Chaman, Quetta, Hub, Awaran, Lasbela and Pishin.
According to officials, rescue teams, district administrations and Frontier Corps personnel remain engaged in relief operations even as authorities shift to 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, bringing 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 bear the brunt, while southern and coastal areas such as Gwadar, Pasni, Panjgur and Lasbel may also experience significant rains, Ormara and Turbat.
Authorities have warned of flooding in local streams, urban flooding and landslides in mountainous terrain, posing a serious risk to settlements near waterways and those traveling through hilly routes.
Residents have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel, especially in exposed areas, keep children indoors during storms and stay away from exposed electrical infrastructure and weak structures.
Emergency services, ambulances and emergency aid are put on standby, and citizens are advised to contact emergency services in case of emergencies.
In Quetta, dark clouds blanketed the city as the rains began, triggering power outages in several areas, while gas supply disruptions, particularly night-time load shedding, have worsened public congestion, prompting calls for emergency relief amid the ongoing weather.
Meanwhile, the situation in KP remains as grim as the provincial disaster management authority has reported 50 deaths, including 26 children, and 111 injuries in rain-related incidents since March 25.
