PESHAWAR: At least four people were killed and one injured in the last 24 hours as heavy monsoon rains lashed Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the provincial disaster management authority said on Saturday amid warnings of more countrywide downpours from July 22 and July 26.
As per the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), monsoon currents are continuously penetrating the country from the Bay of Bengal, and an impacting westerly trough is expected to persist in the northern regions over the next few days.
As a result, several parts of KP and Punjab are at risk of flash floods and landslides, while rains or thundershowers will also hit the southern and southwestern parts of the country.
“During the last 24 hours, four people lost their lives, while one person was injured in rain-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” KP’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said in a statement.
“At least 12 houses have been partially damaged due to floods and rains across the province, whereas nine houses were damaged after floods in lower Chitral,” it continued.
The statement added that KP’s relief, rehabilitation, and settlement department had instructed rescue teams, district administrations, civil defense, and other related bodies to be on high alert to deal with any likely emergency.
“A detailed assessment of the damages will begin as soon as flood waters recede in lower Chitral,” it said, adding: “The vulnerable communities have already been shifted to safer locations.”
Meanwhile, local media reported intermittent spells of heavy monsoon rains caused urban flooding and suspension of electricity supply in Punjab’s capital, Lahore, where life almost came to a standstill.
On Friday, Karachi, the commercial hub of the country, also received heavy rain, with water accumulating in several areas. The weather office said the city was going to experience more downpours over the next two days.
“Heavy rains may trigger waterlogging in low-lying areas of Karachi and Hyderabad from 22nd to 24th July,” it said.
The summer monsoon brings South Asia 70-80 percent of its annual rainfall between June and September and is vital for the livelihoods of millions of farmers in a region of around two billion people. However, it also triggers flash floods and often causes deaths via electrocution, drowning, and other accidents.
Last week, nearly 14,000 people were evacuated from villages in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province as heavy rains lashed the country and the neighboring state of India.
The PMD advised farmers to manage their activities, keeping the weather forecast in view, and urged tourists to be extra cautious during the wet spell.
“Wind-thunderstorm may damage loose structures like electric poles, solar panels, etc.,” it added. “General public is advised to stay at safe places during windstorm/heavy rains.”
