Islamabad/Peshawar:
At least 79 people, including 38 children, have died in floods and rain -related incidents, including landslides and house collapse, since June 26, National Disaster Management Authority said Tuesday.
The authority released fresh warnings for flooding of flash and glaciers lake outbreaks in the northern and northwest provinces of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, citing “A significant increase in temperatures and … an upcoming weather system.”
Two boys drowned in the river Indus in Torghar district and Jabba Nullah from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwas Mansehra, while Karakoram Highway was blocked due to heavy earth cut in Gligit-Baltistan Gonar Farm and Mola Dad Pari area on Tuesday.
Due to a marked increase in temperature, accelerating snow and glacier melts triggered flash floods and landslides in different areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa stands as the most vulnerable province in Pakistan for the ongoing monsoon crisis, which reveals critical infrastructural weaknesses and control holes that intensify the influence of disaster.
Despite repeated destruction from flooding, KP still lacks sufficient water management systems, enforcement of building laws and sustainable disaster preparedness, leaving its communities exposed and fragile.
As Pakistan faces another season of unpredictable monsoon rain, the death toll has steadily increased over the past 10 days. While deaths have been reported across all four provinces, KP has been hit hardest, with over 29 lives lost, many wounded and extensive destruction of infrastructure, especially in its economic centers.
KP’s defective infrastructure for handling excess water results in deadly floods and water -related accidents.
Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued widespread warnings and predicts rainfall through July.
Some of the worst affected areas, Swat, Kalam and Chitral are among KP’s leading tourist places. These regions are very dependent on tourism for financial survival as breathtaking mountains and rivers draw visitors who support local livelihoods.
Tragically, these natural traits that attract tourism also burn recurring floods, destroy roads, bridges, hotels and entire villages. These disasters do not just interfere with tourism; They destroy livelihood and local economies, while the robust terrain hinder the rescue and reconstruction efforts. Despite frequent destruction, effective preventive measures remain.
Other parts of KP suffer from damaged roads and agricultural losses. In Mohmand’s district, heavy rainfall wiped out livestock and crops overnight. Flooded roads have isolated societies, as in Kandia Tehsil, cut off transport and trade, while power cuts aggravate the crisis.
Forecast
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted widespread rain winds/thunderstorm activity across the country on Tuesday with isolated heavy falls probably in different regions, including Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Northeast Balochistan and Islamabad.
The department has issued a warning for vigorously to very heavy rainfall between July 7-8, which can generate flash rivers in local streams and nullahs in Murree, Galliyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Buner, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Nadshera, Swabi, Marran, Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Hill Torrents of Dera Khan, Northeast Punjab and parts of Balochistan including Barkhan, Kohlu, Musa Khel, Dera Bugti, Loralai, Zhob, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbela and others.
Landslides and mud glids can interfere with road access in vulnerable mountainous areas of KP, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir under the wet spell. In addition, the city’s flood is probably in low -lying areas of Islamabad, Rawal Pindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Nowshera and Peshawar. Authorities have advised the public to take precautionary measures.
In Islamabad, cloudy sky is expected with intermittent rain and isolated heavy showers.
In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, widespread rain is probably in dir, chitral, swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Shangla, Battagtagram, Buner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Peshawar. and dera Ismail Khan.
In Punjab, rain is expected to be isolated Heavy Falls in Murree, Galliyat, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock, Chakwal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Mandi Bahauddin, Chiniot Singh, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Kot Addu, Rahim Yar Khan and Dg Khan.
In Sindh, mainly hot and very humid weather is expected in most districts. However, light rain or drip can occur in isolated places along the coast including Karachi.
Under Balochistan, hot and humid conditions will prevail in most areas, although rain and thunderstorms are probably in isolated places in Barkhan, Kohlu, Musakhel, Dera Bugti, Loralai, Zhob and nearby regions. Heavyfalls can occur in isolated places during the expected period.
In Kashmir, cloudy weather is expected with intermittent rain and isolated heavy falls. Gilgit-Baltistan probably remains partially cloudy with chances of rain and thunderstorms.
The highest registered temperatures were: Nokundi (46c), Chilas (45c), Dalbandin (44c), while Gilgit, Jacobabad, Khairpur, Okara and Noor Pur Thal were registered at 41c.
With additional input from agencies
