Have 21 people died in rain-related incidents across Pakistan?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 21 fatalities reported in rain-related incidents.
- Major impact in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- Over 905 deaths since the monsoon began.
- Fresh flood warnings issued by authorities.
- Significant damage to infrastructure, including 240 bridges.
Islamabad, Sep 6 (NationPress) Reports indicate that at least 21 individuals have lost their lives due to rain-related incidents across Pakistan in the last 24 hours, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Among these, eight fatalities occurred in the eastern province of Punjab, primarily attributed to riverine floods and collapsing structures, as stated by the authority on Friday.
Moreover, 13 deaths were confirmed in the Buner district of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as reported by Xinhua news agency. The victims had been unaccounted for during flash floods on August 15 and were later declared deceased by local officials following confirmation from the provincial disaster management authority.
Since the start of the monsoon season on June 26, severe rain and flooding have claimed at least 905 lives and injured 1,044 others nationwide, as per the NDMA.
The calamities have resulted in the destruction of 9,363 homes and the death of 6,180 animals.
Authorities have issued new warnings regarding anticipated rainfall, while rescue teams remain ready and damage evaluations are ongoing in affected areas.
The provinces of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab have experienced the most severe impact from these heavy rains.
KP has reported 488 fatalities and 360 injuries, while Punjab has seen 223 deaths and 648 injuries. In addition, Sindh has confirmed 58 deaths, Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) 41, Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) 38, Balochistan 26, and Islamabad 9, according to the leading Pakistani daily, The Express Tribune.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has cautioned that the River Sutlej at the Ganda Singh Wala area in Punjab will maintain exceptionally high flood levels, while a new flood wave in the River Chenab may escalate to "very high to exceptional" levels from Marala downstream in Punjab.
Additionally, the River Indus at Guddu in Sindh is projected to attain "high to very high flood" levels by September 6 or 7. The PMD has alerted that ongoing heavy rains in upper catchment areas could lead to urban flooding in Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad.
Authorities have issued rain alerts for Punjab, KP, PoGB, and PoK, with scattered rain expected in various KP regions such as Chitral, Dir, Swat, Buner, and Abbottabad.
Warnings have also been issued regarding potential flash floods in low-lying areas, as well as the risk of overflowing streams and landslides in hilly regions.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), floodwaters from the Chenab have inundated 261 villages in Jhang and at least two dozen in Muzaffargarh.
The disaster has also wreaked havoc on nearly 240 bridges and over 670 kilometers of roads throughout Pakistan.