Quetta: Authorities have issued warnings of possible floods in Balochistan’s Jaffarabad, Rojhan, Usta Muhammad, and Sohbatpur districts on September 2 and 3 due to the rising water level in the Indus River.
Provincial Minister for Irrigation, Sadiq Umrani, said the provincial government is in continuous contact with Sindh and closely monitoring the situation. He confirmed that the irrigation department has established 16 flood control centers at different locations and moved machinery and staff to vulnerable sites.
Meanwhile, DG PDMA Jehanzaib Khan announced that a camp office has been set up in Naseerabad, where safe zones have also been designated for affected families. Commissioner Naseerabad Division, Salahuddin Noorzei, while chairing a meeting, directed deputy commissioners to personally inspect field arrangements and ensure precautionary measures are in place to deal with any emergency.
On the other hand, Farmers’ Union Chairman, Khalid Hussain Bath, accused the government of negligence in addressing the crises facing farmers. Speaking at a press conference, he said Pakistan was suffering not only from floods but also from India’s “water aggression.”
He noted that heavy rains and the looming flood threat had already inflicted severe losses on farmers, while wheat prices have risen sharply. “Wheat that was earlier sold at Rs 2,100 per 40kg is now touching Rs 3,500, with further increases expected,” Bath said.
He further alleged that victims of the 2022 floods have yet to be fully compensated. According to him, the government pledged Rs 69 billion in payments to farmers, but only Rs 35 billion has been disbursed so far.
Bath also criticized the Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) for disconnecting electricity connections of farmers, worsening their situation. “Until farmers are paid their dues, power connections must not be cut. Otherwise, farmers will stage a symbolic hunger strike, which will turn into a permanent protest camp if demands are not met,” he warned.
The Farmers’ Union also condemned the Punjab government’s ban on wheat transportation, demanding that the policy be immediately reversed and calling for an end to what it described as an “anti-farmer attitude.”
