At least 50 people were killed and some 500 missing as torrential rains and floods swept away a dam in Pakistan's southwestern Baluchistan Province, a provincial minister said Friday.  

The Shadi Kor Dam in Pasni, which lies about 800 km south of Quetta, capital of Baluchistan, burst late Thursday, submerging the nearby villages, Provincial Cultural Minister Sher Jan Baloch told Pakistan TV.

Baloch put the death toll as 50, saying that their bodies have been recovered.

The dam was built two years ago and was producing electricity for several thousands people in the area. It was washed away because of accumulation of rainwater beyond its capacity.

Pasni and many other coastal areas have been cut off as the waters washed out a coastal highway and bridges linking the city with Karachi and Gwadar, two port cities along the coast.

The Pasni airport has been closed after the runway became submerged. Electricity and phone service have also been disrupted.     

President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have directed all institutions concerned to take urgent measures so as to prevent further losses and emphasized timely assistance to the needy.

The armed forces along with helicopters have been mobilized in the relief efforts.

Meanwhile reports from Pakistan's North West Frontier Province said that 30 soldiers are missing in the country's mountainous tribal area as heavy rains have caused avalanches in Teerah area of Khyber tribal agency, which is not confirmed officially.

(Xinhua News Agency February 12, 2005)