Relief operations underway as Pakistan rain death toll nears 200
Pakistan's most populous Punjab province has been the hardest hit with 114 deaths, followed by 40 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 21 in Sindh, 16 in Balochistan and one each in Islamabad and Azad Kashmir since June 26, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Authorities rescued four special persons who were stranded in floodwaters, while 18 others were evacuated to safety in Kacha Rokhri area in Punjab's Minawali district, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party said on X, citing authorities.
'Immediate cleaning of landslide-affected roads in different areas of Chakwal has started. Administration, rescue and heavy machinery are present on the spot,' the party said.
'Deputy commissioners have been instructed to remain in the field until rainwater drainage is completed.'
The downpours have also damaged nearly 700 homes across the South Asian country, according to the disaster management authorities. Rations, blankets and tents are being distributed by local administrations in affected areas.
'Scattered thunderstorm/rain with isolated heavy falls is expected over Sindh, East Balochistan and South Punjab,' the NDMA said in its weather outlook for Saturday and Sunday.
Monsoon season brings South Asia 70 to 80 percent of its annual rainfall, arriving in early June in India and late June in Pakistan, and lasting through until September.
The annual rains are vital for agriculture and food security, and the livelihoods of millions of farmers. But increasingly erratic and extreme weather patterns are turning the rains into a destructive force.
In 2022, record-breaking monsoon rains combined with glacial melt submerged nearly a third of Pakistan, killing more than 1,700 people and displacing over 8 million. In May, at least 32 people were killed in severe storms, including strong hailstorms.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
18 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan warns of more monsoon rains next week as death toll reaches 271
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's state media on Sunday forecast more rain and likely flooding in several parts of the country from next week, as the death toll from monsoon downpours since late June reached 271. Intense monsoon rains have battered Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sindh, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad since June 26, causing urban floods and glacial lake outburst floods in several parts of the country. Pakistan has received above-normal rainfall this monsoon season, raising concerns of a repeat of the devastating 2022 floods that submerged a third of the country and killed 1,737 people. 'More monsoon rains with wind-thundershower have been predicted across the country from tomorrow (Monday),' state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. According to the Met Office, a westerly wave is also expected to approach on Tuesday. The state broadcaster warned heavy rains may generate flash floods in local nullahs and streams across the country, adding that torrential rains may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of major cities. 'Landslides and mudslides may cause road closures in the vulnerable hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat, and Kashmir during the forecast period,' it added. Keeping in mind the rain forecast, the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a flood warning for the Chenab and Jhelum rivers and their adjoining tributaries. The disaster management authority cautioned the public and authorities of possible low to medium-level flooding from Monday to July 31. It warned of an 'unusual rise' in water levels in both rivers, urging authorities to take preemptive measures. Monsoon rains have wreaked havoc across Pakistan, killing 271 and injuring 655 since June 26. As per the NDMA's latest situation report, Punjab has reported the highest number of deaths with 145 killed, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) with 63 casualties, Sindh with 25 deaths, Balochistan with 20, the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region with eight deaths, Islamabad with eight and Azad Kashmir region reporting two deaths. In total, 1,191 houses have been damaged, and 367 livestock have perished due to rain-related incidents since June 26.
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Glacial floods alert issued for northwest Pakistan with more heavy rain forecast
PESHAWAR: Pakistan on Saturday warned of glacial flooding in the northwest with more rain forecast for the area in the coming week. Downpours are heavier in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province than the same period last year, prompting weather adviseries and alerts for flooding from glacial lake outbursts, said Anwar Shahzad, a spokesperson for the local disaster management authority. A letter from the authority sent out mid-July said 'persistent high temperatures may accelerate snow and glacier melt and subsequent weather events' in vulnerable parts of the region. Dr. Abdul Samad, from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Department, said rescue teams evacuated more than 500 holidaymakers from Naran after a cloudburst overnight Friday caused a road closure. Authorities deployed heavy machinery to remove debris and restore access. In the neighboring Gilgit-Baltistan region, the government said it had distributed hundreds of tents, thousands of food packets, and medicine to flood-affected communities. Spokesperson Faizullah Firaq said Saturday there was 'severe destruction' in some areas and damage to houses, infrastructure, crops, and businesses. Search operations were underway to find missing people on the Babusar Highway, where flooding struck nine villages. Helicopters rescued tourists stuck in the popular spot of Fairy Meadows, he added. Pakistan has received above-normal rainfall this monsoon season, raising concerns of a repeat of the devastating 2022 floods that submerged a third of the country and killed 1,737 people. Some 260 have died across Pakistan so far this season, which runs through to mid-September. Pakistan is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, but one of the lowest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Al Arabiya
Glacial floods alert issued for northwest Pakistan with more heavy rain forecast
Pakistan on Saturday warned of glacial flooding in the northwest with more rain forecast for the area in the coming week. Downpours are heavier in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province than the same period last year prompting weather advisories and alerts for flooding from glacial lake outbursts said Anwar Shahzad a spokesperson for the local disaster management authority. A letter from the authority sent out mid-July said persistent high temperatures may accelerate snow and glacier melt and subsequent weather events in vulnerable parts of the region. Dr. Abdul Samad from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Department said rescue teams evacuated more than 500 holidaymakers from Naran after a cloudburst overnight Friday caused a road closure. Authorities deployed heavy machinery to remove debris and restore access. In the neighboring Gilgit-Baltistan region the government said it had distributed hundreds of tents thousands of food packets and medicine to flood-affected communities. Spokesperson Faizullah Firaq said Saturday there was severe destruction in some areas and damage to houses infrastructure crops and businesses. Search operations were underway to find missing people on the Babusar Highway where flooding struck nine villages. Helicopters rescued tourists stuck in the popular spot of Fairy Meadows he added. Pakistan has received above-average rainfall this monsoon season raising concerns of a repeat of the devastating 2022 floods that submerged a third of the country and killed 1,737 people. Some 260 have died across Pakistan so far this season which runs through to mid-September. Pakistan is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change but one of the lowest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
