Islamabad:
At least 242 people have been killed and almost 600 wounds in torrential rains, devastating floods and storms that have swept through Pakistan since the beginning of the Monzón season at the end of June, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported Tuesday.
Most of the victims were reported in Punjab, where 135 people have lost their lives until now, while Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa recorded 56 deaths. Other severely affected regions include Sindh with 24 deaths and Baluchistan with 16.
In Islamabad, six people, including four children, were dragged by floods. Three deaths were reported in Gilgit-Baltistan, and two deaths occurred in Azad Kashmir. Total toll includes 116 children, 43 women and 83 men, according to NDMA.
Generalized rains have caused severe destruction, damaging 854 homes, with more than 200 sweep. In Punjab, 168 houses were destroyed, while 230 houses in KP were affected.
In Sindh, 87 houses were informed damaged, and in GB, 145 houses were dragged. Balochistan reported 64 houses destroyed, Azad Kashmir 104 and Islamabad 56.
Floods also wreaked havoc in infrastructure. NDMA confirmed that storms destroyed 10 kilometers of roads and nine bridges.
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“During rescue operations, 450 people were safely evacuated from the affected areas,” said an NDMA spokesman.
In the last 24 hours, 21 deaths and six wounds were reported, with KP suffering the largest number of victims. The sudden floods in the province became the lives of 10 people, including six children and two women.
The deaths were also reported in Islamabad, where five people, including three children, were swept in floods. Two people also died in Sindh, and one in GB.
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President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have ordered immediate assistance and rehabilitation for communities affected by flooding throughout the country, after severe rains and floods.
In separate statements, both leaders instructed the relevant authorities to intensify aid operations in the affected areas. Expressing a deep sadness for the loss of lives due to rains and floods, both leaders extended condolences to the afflicted families.
The prime minister also urged the NDMA to remain in close contact with the provincial governments and ensure that full support is provided.
Sharif asked for a rapid display of relief measures to mitigate the suffering of affected populations. He also highlighted the need for thorough preparation in advance of possible additional challenges in the next few days.
The Prime Minister also directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) and the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) to accelerate the restoration of roads and other vital paths that have been damaged by floods.
The authorities have already mobilized the equipment to eliminate blocked roads and provide necessary medical help to the victims of floods. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to guarantee the security and well -being of citizens following the disaster.
