Latest monsoon spell claims 45 lives so far in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The monsoon rains that started affecting Pakistan on 25th have resulted in 45 deaths, including women and children, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Sunday, amid a warning about more rains, including extreme weather events, in different parts of the country in the coming week.

Most of these deaths – 21- were recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with another 11 wounded. It was followed by Punjab where 13 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents.

Read more: Monsoon rains hit Lahore, other parts of Punjab

The tourists swept away by Swat River earlier this week are the reason behind Khyber Pakhtunkhwa topping the list.

On the other hand, cities like Karachi see people drowning in the drainage system or electrocuted because of poor urban infrastructure.

Coming back to the figures released by the NDMA, seven of these deaths were reported from Sindh and four from Balochistan.

MOST VULNERABLE

In the mountainous or hilly regions of Pakistan, the monsoon season, unfortunately, brings deaths in rain-related incidents, especially those caused by flash floods. Lack of infrastructure means people have to cross streams or nullahs on foot or by makeshift bridges, which can become a deadly exercise amid sudden flooding.

Read more: Sick of Pakistan heatwave? Even Greenland ice melting faster than average

At the same time, Pakistan is one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change, and its 240 million inhabitants are facing extreme weather events with increasing frequency.

That’s why unusually extremely dry winter is now followed by a forecast that some parts of the country may receive more than 30 per cent above average rains in the monsoon season that lasts till mid-September.

Earlier, Pakistan saw dozens of deaths due to multiple heatwaves in May and June, punctuated by violent storms. In fact, heatwaves have become a routine matter in the region during the past 12 years or so.