WEB DESK
With flood wreaking havoc across the length and breadth of the province, gut-wrenching tales of devastation, tragedy and destruction were found everywhere. Even among those tales, the story of Wahab Bugti, who was a national sensation a few months ago, broke many hearts.
When his hit song Kana Yaari on Coke Studio, released in January, Bugti, along with fellow singers Kaifi Khalil and rapper Eva B, created waves throughout the country and even beyond. The song was played over 18 million times on YouTube alone. Bugti, who was then one of the faces of music in the country, is now a picture of devastation. The flood in his native province has claimed over 216 lives.
Today, Bugti’s face is all over social media again, but not because of his hit song, but as a flood victim.
In photos shared all over social media, Bugti is seen wearing a shalwar kameez, holding his child as he stands in front of a collapsed wall and inundated fields in Dera Murad Jamali.
The floods have reportedly damaged over 30,000 houses, leaving thousands of families homeless.
Unlike other victims, Bugti’s tale managed to rattle some souls, thanks to his fame.
“Yes, many people have called me today [on Monday] after my pictures were shared on social media,” Bugti told media persons.
“We are fine, and have moved to another place in my town. But we will move back after things become normal.”
Unlike his gloomy and hopeless expressions in the pictures, his voice appeared confident and calm.
Goth Mohammad Umar, his native village in Dera Murad Jamali, is situated at a distance of three kilometres from the main town.
While talking about torrential rains, he said his house, like others in his village, was destroyed, and he was living with a friend, away from his village, along with his children.
