Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said Balochistan is the most affected by climate change as the heavy rains and floods in 2022 caused a heavy financial loss reported in the province.
The international community has pledged 2.6 billion dollars for rehabilitation activities in the flood-affected areas, Sarfraz Bugti said this through video link in a meeting of Chief Ministers of the four provinces on climate change held under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
In the meeting, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Environment Naseem ur Rehman and Secretary Environment Nadeem Khan also participated.
Sarfraz Bugti said the commitment announced by the global community for the rehabilitation of flood victims of Balochistan has not yet fulfilled.
He urged the federal government to take the provinces on board for policy and decision-making related to combat climate change. The CM has proposed in the meeting to formulate a sub-committee for effective consultation with the provinces to cope affects of climate change.
Sarfraz Bugti said that fee structure should be decided on the basis of the needs of the provinces. The government of Balochistan will follow the guideline decided by mutual consultation to deal with the challenges of climate change.
On the other hand torrential rains accompanied by thunder and lightning wreaked havoc across various districts of Balochistan once again, reported on Friday.
According to administrative sources, torrential rains submerged large swathes of land, collapsed numerous mud houses and other installations in Chaghi and damaged more than 50 houses in border areas near Taftan.
Administrative sources said that the border city of Taftan bore the brunt of the heavy downpour, with significant damage inflicted upon homes and other structures.
The majority of the city found itself submerged as a result of the floodwaters. The local administration has initiated the rescue operation to relocate the flood-affected families.
In Chaghi district, Thursday night’s floods washed away homes while agricultural fields have been inundated with extensive damage to crops.
Furthermore, stormy winds also paralysed life in Dalbandin city, causing several shop signboards to topple while low-lying areas in Dorban were inundated by rising waters.
The Met Office had already forecasted a new round of rain system from April 25 and said that the westerly wave to extend its grip over most parts of the country by April 26.
