At least 37 people have lost their lives and many others are injured following torrential monsoon rains in some parts of Pakistan, authorities said. Flooding, building collapses, landslides and electrocution are among the main causes of the deaths.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab are the most affected Provinces. According to official numbers, 20 people have lost their lives in KP and 17 in Punjab. Relief operations are ongoing in the affected areas with assistance being provided by rescue teams and the local authorities.
In Pakistan, the heavy rainfall was observed in many cities of Punjab; low-lying areas of these cities were waterlogged. Several roads were flooded, resulting in some public property and homes being damaged and some traffic delays.
The floods have caused additional damage in KP. A flash flood struck the Tuchi river in North Waziristan, killing two people. Due to the rain, the house roof in South Waziristan collapsed, and four members of a family lost their lives.
Some homes were damaged, and farmland and livestock, as well as rural infrastructure, were also damaged, officials said. Landslides were also reported to have blocked roads in a number of mountainous areas, bringing some inconveniences for the population.
In Punjab a lot of deaths occurred due to the falling of walls and buildings. Lightning or electrocution caused the death of one person also.
After the rise in the water level of the Chenab River, its water is being closely monitored. It is under control, but they have taken precautions, officials say.
Some cloudbursts/landslides in the GIBB have impacted various areas, including Astore. Road closures have left some residents and tourists trapped, and homes are damaged, crops have been ruined, and irrigation systems have been damaged. Remediation efforts are in progress.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted additional rainfall to occur in the coming days with a potential of floods, landslides and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) in the northern and mountain regions.
The public has been advised not to travel unless it is necessary, to stay out of river and flood-prone areas and to follow the weather and safety recommendations. In the monsoon season rescue and emergency teams are on standby.