Severe flooding in the southwestern coast of Balochistan has prompted evacuations, road collapses, and the closure of schools and key services. The heavy rainfall has led to an official state of emergency being declared in Gwadar, Ormara, and other affected regions. This marks the most significant rain spell in Gwadar and other Balochistan areas since 2010, when heavy rains, triggered by a cyclone, caused substantial damage.

The coastal district of Gwadar experienced over 100mm of rainfall in a single day. Fortunately, there have been no reported casualties from the affected areas. The flooding has disrupted normal life and traffic on the Coastal Highway, leading to paramilitary forces being called in to assist the district administration in rescue and relief operations.

Also Read: Learning from History: Preventing a Repeat of Rawalpindi’s 2001 Flood Disaster

The Meteorological Office had previously predicted the arrival of a westerly wave in Balochistan, expected to impact the upper parts of the country on February 26th. The local authorities, including Gwadar Deputy Commissioner Aurangzeb Badini, have initiated rescue and relief efforts to address the widespread impact of the flooding.