Shakidor Dam bursts in Pakistan after heavy rain
{{date|February 11, 2005}}

After a week of heavy rain and snow, the [[w:Shakidor Dam|Shakidor Dam]] near the coast of the southwestern [[w:Pakistan|Pakistan]] province of [[w:Balochistan|Baluchistan]] burst around 6:00 pm local time. So far, at least seventy people have died after five villages were swept away. Many bodies have been recovered by Coast Guard vessels sweeping the sea off the affected area with fishing nets.

Provincial Minister [[w:Sher Jan Baloch|Sher Jan Baloch]] announced troops have been called out for rescue operations. "The army has started rescue operations to try to save as many lives as possible." While over 1,000 have been rescued, possibly as many as 700 are missing - they may have been swept out to see, or may be seeking refuge on high ground or elsewhere. Alotogether, over 30,000 people have been affected.

President [[w:Pervez Musharraf|Musharaf]] has announced a million dollars for the victims.

The 148 m (485 ft) long Shakidor Dam near [[w:List of cities in Balochistan|Pasni]] failed on Friday, sending thousands of people fleeing for safety. The dam, 800 km south of [[w:Quetta|Quetta]], the capital of Baluchistan, was built two years ago. Although the specific details are not known, it is believed the dam was overwhelmed by past week's heavy rains which have caused flooding in the region.

The flooding has cut off Pasni and other coastal regions, washing out roads and bridges. At least another 50 have died elsewhere as a result.

== References ==

*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4259185.stm |title= Rescue bid in Pakistan dam burst |author= |pub=BBC News |date=February 12, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4256107.stm |title= Pakistan dam-burst deaths hit 60 |author= |pub=BBC News |date=February 11, 2005}}
* {{source|url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP1133.htm
|title=Dam burst kills more than 50 in Pakistan
|author=
|pub=Reuters
|date=11 Feb 2005 12:38:55 GMT}}
* {{source|title=Heavy rains kill 130 in Pakistan
|url=http://today.reuters.co.uk/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2005-02-11T163234Z_01_HOP151159_RTRUKOC_0_WEATHER-PAKISTAN.xml
|author=Shahid Gul Yusufzai
|pub=Reuters
|date=Fri Feb 11, 2005 4:34 PM GMT}}
* {{source|url=http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-02-11-voa16.cfm
|title=Hundreds Dead, Missing as Pakistan Dam Bursts
|author=Ayaz Gul
|pub=Voice of America
|date=11 February 2005}} - [http://www.voanews.com/mediaassets/english/2005_02/Audio/rm/Gul_Dam_021105.rm (report[[Image:Loudspeaker.png]])]
* {{source|title=Dam erupts killing 25 in Pakistan
|url=http://www.newkerala.com/news-daily/news/features.php?action=fullnews&id=70851
|author=
|pub=United Press International
|date=Feb. 11}}
* {{source|title=Dam burst kills 50 in southwestern Pakistan
|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/11/content_2571626.htm
|author=
|pub=Xinhua news
|date=2005-02-11 23:23:12}}
* {{source|title=Hundreds Missing After Pakistan Dam Bursts
|url=http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=491012
|author=Naseer Kakar
|pub=ABC News (United States)
|date=Feb 11, 2005}}

==External Links==
*[http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20050211/ap_on_re_as/pakistan_rain_deaths Yahoo! News]
*Satellite images http://unosat.web.cern.ch/unosat/asp/default.asp

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[[Category:Disasters and accidents]]
[[Category:Pakistan]]
[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:Balochistan (Pakistan)]]
[[Category:Missing persons]]

[[de:Staudammbruch in Pakistan]]
[[sv:Damm i Pakistan kollapsade - minst 60 döda]]
After a week of heavy rain and snow, the Shakidor Dam near the coast of the southwestern Pakistan province of Baluchistan burst around 6:00 pm local time. So far, at least seventy people have died after five villages were swept away. Many bodies have been recovered by Coast Guard vessels sweeping the sea off the affected area with fishing nets.

Provincial Minister Sher Jan Baloch announced troops have been called out for rescue operations. "The army has started rescue operations to try to save as many lives as possible." While over 1,000 have been rescued, possibly as many as 700 are missing - they may have been swept out to see, or may be seeking refuge on high ground or elsewhere. Alotogether, over 30,000 people have been affected.

President Musharaf has announced a million dollars for the victims.

The 148 m (485 ft) long Shakidor Dam near Pasni failed on Friday, sending thousands of people fleeing for safety. The dam, 800 km south of Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan, was built two years ago. Although the specific details are not known, it is believed the dam was overwhelmed by past week's heavy rains which have caused flooding in the region.

The flooding has cut off Pasni and other coastal regions, washing out roads and bridges. At least another 50 have died elsewhere as a result.
Disasters and accidents Pakistan Asia Balochistan (Pakistan) Missing persons