LAHORE/OKARA/FAISALABAD:
The rains of the torrential monsoon wreaked havoc on Punjab on Wednesday, killing at least 44 people and wounding hundreds of others, with generalized structural damage reported by several districts, especially due to collapsed roofs and electrocution.
The devastation is likely to continue until Thursday while the officials warned that the relentless monozonic system would persist until at least July 17 (today). Another 16 people died in rain -related incidents in Baluchistan.
Structural collapses and electrocution were cited as main causes, with most victims registered in Lahore, Okara, Faisalabad and the surrounding districts.
In Lahore, torrential downpours measured at 170 mm led to multiple mortal incidents. Sixteen people died and six other serious injuries when three roofs collapsed throughout the city.
In the village of Muridwal, near Thokar Niaz Baig, five members of the same family lost their lives, including manga, 60, his wife Ishrat (55), his daughters Khadija (3) and Latifa (4) and his daughter -in -law Rani (35). The injured included Faisal, 30, and their five -year -old daughter Bubbly.
In Raiwind Road’s Mission neighborhood, three people perished: Nasreen (70), Meerab (8) and Bashir (80), while another individual, Fareed (21), was rescued and hospitalized.
In the nearby Kot Jamal, a ceiling collapse claimed the life of Bashir, 35, while Nadeem, 32, Sonia, 29, and Daim, 8, were injured.
Similarly, in Okara, at least seven people, including five children, were killed due to collapseing structures, electrocution and an incident of drowning.
Two girls, 10 -year -old Mahnoor and IQRA, 8, died after falling into a dark well due to accumulated rainwater. Several others were injured in incidents reported from 25/2R, Sabzi Mandi, Haveli Lakha and Marola Sharif.
In Faisalabad, at least seven people died, while 36 were injured in 23 separate roof collapse incidents. A 45 -year -old woman, Nasreen and her 14 -year -old son, were buried under the rubble.
In the city of Rachna, a couple, Shahmand (50) and his wife Riaz Bibi (40), were killed. A two -year -old boy, Ali Mohsin, died in Chak 392GB and several others were hospitalized with less than criticism injuries.
The flooded lahore
According to the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the Monzón rain was recorded in most districts, including 217 mm in Sheikhupura, 170 mm in Okara, 130 mm in Chichawatni, 90 mm in Hafizabad and 85 mm in Kasur. Other cities such as Faisalabad (60 mm), Mandi Bahauddin (32 mm) and Jhelum (29 mm) also reported significant rains.
More downpours are expected in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Sargodha, fine, DG Khan and Bahawalpur Divins, with the current forecast of the Monzón cycle will continue until July 17.
Citizens have been advised to remain in ruins or structured houses, which represented most fatal collapses of the ceiling. PDMA has reiterated caution calls, especially keeping children away from electric posts, wiring and flooded areas.
Twin cities saved important damage
In contrast, light to moderate rains in Islamabad and Rawalpindi brought temporary relief without important floods.
According to Wasa Rawalpindi, the emergency protocols remained in place with heavy machinery deployed in low areas.
Fortunately, water levels remained manageable without urban floods. The rain recorded in Rawalpindi varied from 9 mm to 23 mm in different locations.
Punjab Prime Minister Maryam Nawaz has instructed the provision of the best possible medical attention to the injured and announced financial aid to the families of the deceased under provincial policy.
The authorities have urged citizens to remain informed through official alerts and cooperate with administrative staff in case of emergency evacuations. The Punjab government has promised full support to protect lives and cattle as the rains continue to open the province.
More rains are expected during the weekend, with Wasa and PDMA maintaining a maximum alert throughout the province.
Swollen rivers
The PDMA has warned about the possible sudden floods in the torrents of the hill in the Dera Ghazi Khan division between July 16 and 17.
Urban flood threats also close over the main cities of Punjab, with the authorities that anticipate moderate to high flow in the Jhelum and Chenab rivers in several key places, including mangla, marala, khanki and qadirabad.
A low level flood in Tarbela (Indo River) and Marala (Chenab River) is expected, with the situation in the upper basins that potentially worsen during the next 24 to 36 hours due to the heavy rains upwards.
The commissioner and the commissioners attached throughout the province have been placed on maximum alert.
The Help Commissioner Nabil Javed has directed the presence of administrative officers and emergency activation of disaster response equipment, fuel reserves and evacuation protocols.
Citizens who live in the river beds have been urged to evacuate with their cattle, and the flood relief camps are being equipped with essential supplies.
