Lahore:
Despite official allegations of emergency preparedness, Punjab has emerged as the hardest hit province in this year’s Monsun season, registering the highest number of fatal accidents and injuries in rain-related events, according to a new report issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Since the beginning of the Monsun season, a total of 266 people have died and 628 have been wounded nationwide. The deceased includes 94 men, 46 women and 126 children. The latest report released Thursday stated that eight people died and six were injured across the country over the past 24 hours alone due to weather -related incidents.
Among the latest injuries, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) reported three deaths and five injuries, Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) each recorded two deaths while a death occurred in Sindh.
Punjab has carried the cobblestone of the damage with 144 deaths and reported 488 injuries. KP came with 63 deaths and 79 injuries. Sindh recorded 25 deaths and 40 injuries, while Balochistan reported 16 fatalities and four injuries. Islamabad saw eight deaths, GB Seven and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to.
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In addition to human losses, property and livestock damage have also been significant. Over the past 24 hours, 84 houses were damaged and 38 livestock perished. Since the beginning of the monsoon, 1,089 houses have been damaged or torn, and 366 animals have died in flood water.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned of potential flash floods in local streams and nullahs in Dera Ghazi Khan and the possibility of the city’s flood in low-lying areas in northeastern and eastern Punjab. The warning is in effect until Thursday night and evening.
A seasonal low is over the northeast Balochistan, with moist streams from the Arabian Sea that penetrate the upper parts of the country. A Western wave also affects these regions.
Rain, wind and thunderstorms are expected in isolated places in Kashmir, KP, upper and central Punjab, GB and northeast Balochistan. Isolated heavy rain is probably in upper KP, central Punjab and northeast Balochistan. Hot and humid conditions will continue elsewhere.
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On Friday, hot and humid weather will win in most areas. However, isolated rain, wind and thunderstorms are expected in GB, upper KP, northeastern Punjab and Kashmir.
Significant rainfall over the last 24 hours was registered in several parts of Punjab, where Sargodha and Sheikhupura received 69 mm, Noor Pur Thal and Hafizabad 59mm and Mandi Bahauddin 51mm. Lahore also experienced various precipitation intensities ranging from 2 mm in Mughalpura to 43 mm in Iqbal town.
In Balochistan, Barkhan registered 29 mm of rain. In KP then Cherat 9 mm, while Gilgit in GB also registered 9 mm. The highest maximum temperatures recorded on Thursday were 44 ° C in Nokundi, 43 ° C in DADU and 41 ° C in Sibbi, Rohri and Panjgur. Officials continue to encourage residents of vulnerable areas to take precautions and remain up to date on weather advisers.
