Islamabad, 19 August 2024 (TDI): More than 200 people, including 100 children, have lost their lives while hundreds of others were injured during the recent monsoon rains in Pakistan, which began on July 1, authorities said on Monday.
As of Monday, 215 people, including 108 children, have died and 405 others, including 156 children, have been injured in rain-related incidents across the country from July 1 to Aug 19, the data released by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) showed.
Over 200 Deaths
The data released on Monday showed Punjab as the most affected province by devastating monsoon rains with 86 deaths. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 65 deaths, Sindh 37, and Balochistan 18 deaths over the past 50 days. Similarly, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) recorded 4, while Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) reported five deaths since July 1.
Flash floods caused by devastating rains have damaged more than 2,500 houses. Similarly, as many as 405 others, including 156 children, have been injured while 448 livestock have perished in rain-related incidents nationwide.
The NDAM has predicted more rainfall and potential flash flooding in the upper region of the country on Tuesday.
Province-vice Breakdown
Sindh
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh, monsoon rains have claimed 37 lives in the province, leaving hundreds injured. Various districts including Jaccobabad, Naushoro Feroze, Ghotki, Sukkur, Sanghar, Dadu Shaheed Benazirabad, and Kashmore received very heavy rainfall during the past 48 hours.
Flash floods triggered by torrential rains have caused significant damage to houses and infrastructures, with Sanghar being the most affected district. According to the disaster management authority, as many as 7,535 people were displaced due to the overflow of the Rohri Canal in the Sanghar district.
Read More: NDMA Issues Alert For Urban Flooding In Punjab And Sindh
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The province has reported 31 deaths due to monsoon rains in KP. The province was massively affected by flash floods with Dera Ismail Khan, Chitral and Mansehra reporting extensive damages. In Chitral, local NGOs and district disaster management authorities (DDAs) have been involved in relief & restoration work in flood-affected areas.
The Deputy Commissioner Tank told media on Sunday that due to heavy rains in South Waziristan and TSD Tank, flood water entered Jandola city and damaged 30 houses, 29 shops 10 protection walls, and three schools and significant damages to the infrastructure, as reported by Reliefweb.
Balochistan
Northern and eastern Baluchistan are currently facing monsoon rains leading to flash floods, landslides and extensive damage. Khuzdar, Naseerabad, Jaffarabad Jhal Magsi, Kachhi and Sohbatpur districts have been heavily impacted by the downpours. The floods have washed away link roads, damaged houses, and destroyed apple orchards, causing disruptions, to the lives of locals. Moreover, a powerful mud storm has worsened the situation by house roofs.
The PDMA Balochistan and DDMAs are actively involved in providing relief and conducting rescue operations. However continuous rainfall is posing challenges to these efforts. Emergency declarations have been made in eight districts. Kalat, Sohbatpur Jaffarabad Loralai Ziarat Awaran Kachhi Lasbela by PDMA due to the circumstances. Despite relief work reaching areas like Sohbatpur and Jaffarabad remains difficult due to persistent rain.
Read More: China Records High Flood Incidents this Year
Punjab
Meanwhile, in Punjab’s Dera Ghazi Khan (DG Khan) division similar devastation is being faced with riverine floods and heavy rainfall causing destruction. Rajanpur Rujhan and Jampur tehsils have suffered greatly with 142 houses damaged and hundreds of people displaced as a result of medium-level floods affecting five villages, in Tunsa and Chashma without any reported casualties.
The PDMA Punjab has issued warnings, about flooding in Punjab. Areas like Vehari, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Layyah and Gujranwala are also facing challenges due, to the rainfall. The PDMA has stated that there is no evidence of India releasing an amount of water into the rivers despite some concerns.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB)
In AJK and GB, the monsoon season brought above-average rainfall, resulting in localized flooding and landslides. In AJK, heavy rains caused the water levels of rivers and nullahs to rise, damaging infrastructure and farmland.
Gilgit-Baltistan faces a particularly dangerous situation as a combination of heavy rains and accelerated snowmelt increases the risk of flash floods. Severe flooding has been reported in Gupis, causing extensive damage to local structures.
The Baltinbar Nullah in Shishkat, Upper Hunza Division, continues to damage the Karakoram Highway, while some parts of the Gilgit-Shandur and Ishkoman highways have also been blocked by debris caused by minor flooding. Road connectivity in the region has been severely compromised, posing a major challenge to the safety and well-being of vulnerable communities.
