MUZAFFARABAD/GILGIT:
Torrential rains and sudden floods have caused generalized destruction in Azad Kashmir, Kaghan Valley and Gilgit-Baltist (GB), leaving at least 10 people dead, including women, and hundreds stranded.
According to Express News, a cloud in a suburban area of Muzaffarabad killed five members of the same family.
In Neelum Valley, around 50 tourists, who were trapped in Ratti Gali Nullah, were rescued, but another 500 remain stranded in the base camp, where several bridges have been dragged and blocked roads.
In the GB district of GB, floods in Khalti swept five people. The bodies of a woman and a child were recovered, while the search for three others continues. Six houses were completely destroyed, while the sudden floods in Chitockhand and Dain Nullah blocked the Ishkoman river, which caused the evacuation of residents of low areas due to fear of rape.
The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) reported that a woman was killed after being beaten by a rock in Dana Daliyaar, UC Machhiara, while another woman died and a person was injured after being swept in Pulera Nullah.
In Jhelum Valley, three stores and a water mill were destroyed by floods in Nar Dajian Nullah, while three people trapped during floods in Chhattar Nullah, Poonch, were rescued.
In the Bagh district, around 400 tourists stranded after his vehicle was caught in flood waters was rescued. Earth landslides have blocked Muzafarabad-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Link Road in Lohar Gali and the Bani Hafiz-Hattian bullet road in Jhelum Valley. Access to the Leepa Valley has been cut in doubt, and the Hajira-Abbaspur road in Poonch has been blocked in Berri.
The floods have also washed two pedestrian bridges in Nullah Lawat, while the heavy rains in Nathiagali led three girls to drown in Gilyat Tajwal; Two were rescued, but one died after drowning in water.
PMD warning
The Department of Meteorology of Pakistan (PMD) has issued an accelerated snow warning and merger of glaciers in Gilgit-Baltistan, since temperatures in the region remain 7 to 9 degrees Celsius above normal.
The unusual heat is significantly intensifying the snow rate and the fusion of ice, increasing the risk of the flood floods of the glacial lakes (Glof).
According to the PMD flood prognosis division, the maximum and minimum temperatures are persistently higher than the average, which leads to a massive thaw and the increase in water entry into the deposits.
The data show that until the first 10 days of August, they face the Tarbela deposit during the current Kharif season has reached 41.8 million Acres-Pie (MAF), which is 5.64 MAF above the normal seasonal entrance of 36.16 MAF.
The department warned that the rapid fusion of snow could lead to the formation and expansion of glacial lakes, which represent a serious flood threat to downstream areas. The officials urged the authorities and communities relevant to remain vigilant, particularly in vulnerable valleys, to mitigate possible disasters.
The monsoon rains, which fall throughout the region from June to September of each year, continue to open many parts of the country. From the end of June, monsoon rains have wreaked havoc throughout the country in the last month by triggering mortal floods, landslides and displacements, particularly in vulnerable areas, poorly drained or densely populated.
The torrential rains led to the blockade of the Karakoram highway (KKH) at multiple points inside the city of Abbottabad, leaving travelers stranded for hours.
According to local authorities, all the main Nullah and Barrancos in the district, including the door of the river, swelled beyond their shores, creating dangerous conditions for nearby residents and motorists.
The sudden wave of water from the upper collection areas flooded low towns and washed washed in the KKH, which makes several impassable sections. Rescue and help teams were deployed, together with the Traffic Police, to clear the road and help the passengers stranded.
