ISLAMABAD, Apr 03 (EW): Heavy landslides at the Koh-e-Sulaiman range due to the recent rains have suspended traffic between Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. However, no loss of life was reported.
A large part of N-50 National Highway (DI Khan to Kuchlak and Quetta) has been affected by the landslide at Balochistan’s Dhana Sar.
According to the Levies Force, seven people were injured in the incident and had been shifted to a nearby hospital. Moreover, four vehicles were also damaged in the incident.
On the instructions of Communications Minister Asad Mehmood, the National Highway Authority (NHA) field staff and machinery have been mobilised to remove the landslide debris from the road.
Communications Secretary and NHA Chairman Captain (retd) Muhammad Khurram Agha is in constant contact with NHA field officers in Balochistan and K-P.
Member of Balochistan Assembly Shahid Ehsanullah himself is supervising the restoration work, expressing hope that traffic will soon be restored.
At present, the NHA staff and machinery are active in removing the landslide debris from the road while more heavy machinery has been called from Zhob and Quetta.
The NHA staff has opened the road for light traffic while the affected road will be completely restored for all types of traffic within 24 to 30 hours.
NHA Balochistan North General Manager Agha Inayatullah has requested the commissioner and deputy commissioner to stop the traffic in Zhob and Saifullah, while the passengers travelling to K-P have been advised to take the alternative route N-70 National Highway (Qilla Saifullah-Multan) via Loralai and DG Khan.
The NHA has appealed to the travellers heading towards that direction to keep themselves informed about the weather conditions before travelling.
“The NHA is always ready to deal with all kinds of emergencies and is committed to providing the best road services to the nation.”
Meanwhile, the rescue officials said that the stormy weather was intensifying at the Sulaiman Mountains.
Flood alert
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority has issued a flood alert at the Koh-e-Sulaiman range.
Punjab PDMA Director General Imran Qureshi has asked the DG Khan, Rajanpur and Taunsa deputy commissioners to ensure timely reporting of the situation.
The PDMA spokesperson said a report on the damage caused by the recent rains was also sought.
“The deputy commissioners of the districts concerned should immediately activate the District Control Room for flood reporting and rescue operations,” the PDMA DG said. “Keep the relevant district rescue teams on alert. Timely rescue operations should be started in emergency situations.”
The district emergency operation centres of the respective districts, including the provincial control room, were fully operational 24/7, he added.
“The whole situation is being monitored from the provincial control room of the PDMA,” Qureshi added.
The PDMA spokesperson said citizens could seek assistance by calling PDMA’s helpline 1129.
