A farmer swims while using an empty boat in 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 crossed 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 daily report covering 24 hours till 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 in Gujrat and Okara, while one death 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 collapses, electrocution and drowning.
The latest spell of rains also left 50 people injured, including 47 in various districts of Punjab and three in Hangu, KP. Since the start of the monsoon season, KP has recorded the highest number of deaths with 55 deaths, 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 cattle across the country. Rescue teams have carried out 130 operations since the start of the season, rescuing 3,841 people. Infrastructure has also been damaged, with roads in parts of KP and Gilgit-Baltistan affected by landslides and rising water levels.
Punjab has borne a major share of the seasonal losses. Most of the deaths in the province were related to the collapse of adobe houses, lightning and electrocution.
Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan remains among the worst-affected regions, where flash floods, mudflows and landslides damaged 184 houses, destroyed nine bridges and washed away nearly eight kilometers of roads, according to the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority.
He said 60 disaster incidents have been recorded across the region, with Astore reporting the highest number of damaged houses, Diamer suffering extensive 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 Roads Authority has stepped up road clearing work on key routes.
Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to follow official weather warnings and avoid unnecessary travel as another spell of monsoon rains is expected later this week.
