KARACHI/QUETTA: Winter is coming in Quetta, warned Quratulain Bakhteari, the head of Institute for Development Studies and Practice (IDSP) on Wednesday and stressed the need for weather-resistant houses in Balochistan’s capital.

“There are pre-fabricated,” she said on the Aaj News morning show. “A lot of work was done on it when the earthquake hit Pakistan so if the government wants it can promptly make pre-fabricated houses and deliver it to the people and even on a fast track.”

Bakhteari had joined Aaj News special transmission #MadadKaro for relief of the flood affected people in Pakistan. Floods driven by heavy rains have so far killed 1,162 people in Pakistan and affected more than 33 million people.

“And they have to give it. It is dangerous as the weather is very bad… when winter will come they cannot make their houses in such a short time.”

Bakhteari, who herself grew up in a refugee camp on the outskirts of Karachi after the creation of Pakistan in 1947, forewarned of illnesses in case of extreme weather in Quetta.

Surrounding areas of Quetta – including Sariab, Northern bypass, Nawakilli bypass, Hana Orak and areas of Digaari – are affected due to heavy rains. At least 300 houses were damaged in Hana Orak.

She has been busy with the relief efforts in Balochistan in the wake of flash floods. The IDSP’s campus, made up of mud near Hanna Lake, was also damaged in heavy rains. She claimed that efforts to commercialise the mountain lands of the region led to such an ecological disaster where water routes are broken through such constructions.

‘Tents, cooked meal, medicines needed’

Bakhteari exhorted people to send tents, medicines and cooked meals for the flood-affected people. “Send food as much as you can. Put all your energy on food.”

The IDSP head added that every kind of relief was needed.

More to follow