QUETTA — A catastrophic spell of heavy rains, thunder, and hail has devastated more than 30 districts in Balochistan over the last 24 hours. The provincial infrastructure is reeling under severe pressure as flash floods have cut off major highways, destroyed homes, and claimed the life of a young girl. With the Meteorological Department warning of continued severity through April 3, authorities have declared a state of emergency across the province.
A fresh spell of heavy, intermittent rain accompanied by strong winds, thunder and hail has pummelled more than 30 districts across #Balochistan over the past 24 hours, triggering flash floods that have caused widespread disruption, infrastructure damage. https://t.co/5rFrn7MO7y
— Asad Ali Toor (@AsadAToor) April 2, 2026
Key Highlights
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Casualties: A 12-year-old girl was killed by a lightning strike in Dhadhar city; multiple narrow escapes were reported in vehicle washouts.
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Massive Disruption: Over 30 districts are facing flood-like conditions, including Quetta, Gwadar, Chaman, and Khuzdar.
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Rescue Operations: 15 passengers, including women and children, were rescued from a stranded mini-coach in Qila Abdullah.
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Infrastructure Damage: Eight houses were completely destroyed in Kachhi district; power and communication networks have been severed in multiple regions.
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Travel Ban: Authorities have imposed a complete ban on movement across seasonal rivers and streams under Section 144.
The Toll on Human Life and Property
The heavy downpour has turned seasonal streams into raging torrents. In Dhadhar, the fatal lightning strike not only claimed a young life but also destroyed a critical power transformer, plunging the area into darkness.
In Kachhi district, the Nari River overflowed, inundating Ghazi village. Residents reported that while eight houses were leveled and crops were ruined, they were forced to evacuate to higher ground without government assistance. Meanwhile, in Harnai, mud houses have begun to collapse after three consecutive days of rain, with one roof collapse burying livestock.
Dramatic Rescues and Highway Closures
The province’s road network has been fractured by the deluge:
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Quetta-Chaman Highway: High-level flood surges have heavily disrupted traffic, leaving hundreds of passenger vehicles stranded.
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Harnai Links: Road connections to Punjab, Quetta, and Sibi are completely severed.
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Qila Abdullah: Local authorities and residents successfully rescued passengers from a mini-coach and two other vehicles trapped in the Machka stream. A supply truck carrying food was unfortunately swept away.
In Sibi, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ilyas Kabzai has placed the administration on “round-the-clock alert” as protective embankments at Bakhra Ghulam Bolak suffered partial damage.
Official Response and Weather Outlook
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and the Met Office have issued a Severe Weather Alert effective until April 3. Northeastern districts, including Zhob, Barkhan, and Kohlu, are at high risk of further hill torrents and seasonal stream flooding.
Emergency Measures Taken:
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Section 144: Legally prohibits public gatherings and movement near water bodies in Qila Abdullah.
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Action Plan: In Kachhi, a comprehensive plan for timely evacuation and embankment monitoring has been established.
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Public Advisory: Citizens are urged to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from electricity poles, billboards, and solar panels, which are vulnerable to strong winds and lightning.
The situation remains volatile as water levels in dams and streams are being monitored continuously. Residents in low-lying areas are advised to move to designated safe zones immediately.
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