A farmer swims using an empty canister through a flooded area near Qasim Bela village on the outskirts of Multan. Photo: REUTERS
GILGIT/ LAHORE:
The nationwide death toll from this year’s monsoon rains has risen above 100 after 10 more people lost their lives in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in the last 24 hours, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Sunday.
According to the NDMA’s daily report covering the 24 hours up to 1 pm, seven people died in Punjab and three in KP, taking the nationwide death toll since June 26 to 107. Punjab recorded two deaths each in Gujrat and Okara, while one death each in Sargodha, Narowal and Sialkot.
In KP, according to the NDMA report, two people died in Hangu and one in Shangla. The NDMA said the deaths were caused by house collapse, electrocution and drowning.
The recent spell of rains also left 50 people injured, including 47 in various districts of Punjab and three in Hangu, KP. Since the beginning of the monsoon season, KP has recorded the highest death toll with 55 killed, followed by Punjab with 36. Azad Jammu and Kashmir has reported seven deaths, Balochistan six, Sindh two and Gilgit-Baltistan one.
The NDMA said the monsoon has so far injured 297 people, damaged 447 houses and killed 269 livestock nationwide. Rescue teams have carried out 130 operations since the beginning of the season, saving 3,841 people. Infrastructure has also suffered damage, with roads in parts of KP and Gilgit-Baltistan disrupted by landslides and rising water levels.
Punjab has borne a significant share of the seasonal losses. Most fatalities in the province were associated with collapsing mud houses, lightning and electrocution.
Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan remains among the worst-hit regions, with flash floods, mudslides and landslides damaging 184 houses, destroying nine bridges and washing away nearly eight kilometers of roads, according to the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority.
It said 60 disaster incidents have been recorded across the region, with Astore reporting the highest number of damaged houses, Diamer suffering widespread destruction and Skardu recording the highest bridge losses.
Relief operations continue across the mountainous region, with food parcels, tents and other emergency supplies being distributed to affected communities, while the National Highway Authority has stepped up road clearance on key routes.
Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to follow official weather advice and avoid unnecessary travel as another spell of monsoon rain is expected later this week.
