Heavy rains kill 150, injure 233 across Pakistan: NDMA

ISLAMABAD: Up to 150 people have tragically lost their lives in accidents caused by heavy rains since June 25, according to a report released by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Wednesday.

According to the report, 233 individuals have also been injured. Among the deceased, 62 were men, 25 women, and at least 63 children. While 99 men, 62 women, and 72 children were injured.

The provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have borne the brunt of the fatalities, with 66 and 41 lives lost, respectively.

In Sindh, devastating rains killed 15 people. Meanwhile, Balochistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir both witnessed six fatalities each.

In Islamabad, heavy downpour reportedly left 11 dead in the federal capital and beyond, the rains also led to families suffering extensive property damage.

Up to 468 houses across the country were either partially damaged or destroyed, the NDMA report says.

The monsoon season in Pakistan always poses challenges in terms of flooding, landslides, and other risk of rain-related accidents. This year’s rains have proved to be highly severe, causing an exceptionally high death toll and damage.

The Met Office forecasts the wet spell to continue until July 30.

See: Monsoon rain spell to continue this week: PMD

Heavy rains may cause urban flooding in low lying areas of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad until July 28, the Met Office said.

This may also trigger landslides in the vulnerable areas of Murree, Galliyat, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and the hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The general public has been advised to avoid unnecessary travel during this period. It also advises caution around loose structures, such as electric poles and solar panels, which can dislodge easily and cause injuries.

Read also: Next monsoon spell from July 31, flooding predicted