Islamabad:
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned on Sunday of heavy monsoon rains across the country from August 4 to August 7 and urged citizens and tourists to show caution.
According to the department, rainfall in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, Upper Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are expected during the period.
The heaviest rainfall is expected for August 6 and 7 in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Murree and the Galiyat region. Authorities warned that tourists should remain vigilant as there is a risk of landslide in Murree, Galiyat and Azad Kashmir.
Read: Flash floods killed 299 over Pakistan since June 26
The department also predicted rain and wind storms in parts of northeast Balochistan on August 6 and warned that low -lying areas could face floods. Citizens were asked to take the necessary precautions.
“All relevant institutions have been instructed to remain vigilant and take advance measures,” said the meteorological office.
It also advised tourists to avoid traveling under heavy rain and keeping up to date on the weather situation.
Read more: New Monsun -Sticks Expected in Punjab from August 5
Earlier, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said that at least 299 people, including 140 children, have lost their lives, and 715 others – among them 239 children – have been injured in flash floods and heavy rain that has swept through vulnerable areas in the country since June 26.
A total of 299 people were killed, including 140 children, 102 men and 57 women, according to the data. Among the 715 wounded were 239 children, 204 were women and 272 were men who were caused by injuries.
Since June 26, flash floods and stormy rain have caused widespread destruction and a total of 1,676 houses in the affected areas.
Of these, 562 homes were destroyed, while 1,114 sustained partial damage. The serious weather also led to the loss of 428 livestock, which composed the impact on the local communities.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has carried out 223 comprehensive rescue operations and successfully evacuated 2,880 individuals from flood regions.
