Owais Mughal
Baluchistan was hit by a cyclone named ‘Yemyeni’ four days ago and it has caused widespread havoc. BBC news site is reporting that 800000 people have been affected. Today there are even reports of rioting by the hungry people waiting for aid to arrive. Worst affected area is reported to be Turbat where water over ran the embankments of Mirani dam. Government aid has started pouring in slowly but a lot needs to be done. The detailed news about the cyclone and rain havoc across Baluchistan is all over the national and international media therefore at ATP we will let following images do the talking. The title photo above is of a submerged Turbat mosque.
These photos have been linked to the news sites and clicking on them will take you to their parent websites.
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In this photo, the main road to Turbat is seen washed away in a flash flood. This photo is from thursday, June 28, 2007. Turbat city which has a population of 150000 is also without drinking water and electricity. Government of Pakistan has confirmed 14 deaths and 23 missing as of friday but this number may go higher once the water recedes.
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In the photo to the right, angry protestors are seen walking towards the ‘nazim’ (mayor’s) office of Turbat. They are protesting slow and meager aid reaching their villages. The water from the hand-drwan wells has been rendered undrinkable due to floods and tube-wells which draw water from much deeper could not be operated because of power failure. Rauf Rind, nazim (mayor) of Kech said:
“The entire town has been inundated and people have taken refuge in tall buildings and trees”.
Chakar Baloch who walked more than 40 km through the night to reach Turbat said:
“Every family is looking for one or two members”.
Others feared they would never see their missing family members again.
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Photo shows some of the problems that this cyclone has brought to people in the affected areas.
More photos of Baluchistan rains can be seen at BBC news site here.
Irony is media is also not creating much hype like ti was created after EQ’05.
Government response to cyclone victims’ protests:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tkPQMBFQIEg
Latest on this disaster here
I wonder if His Royal Highness the Supreme Jackboot of the land will show up as he did last time a dam burst in Balochistan and address the poor landless people… last time his theme was along the lines of “where are the people who dare speak out against the Army… are they here to help you? Where would you be right now if it weren’t for us?”
I agree with ToryAlai.
In Pakistan there are double standards. Some ethinic groups considered to be first class citizens while rest( Sind and Baluchistan residents including Karachi) are considered to be second class citizen.
Nevertheless we should fight against discrimantion on any ground.
God bless Pakistan!