Pakistan issues fresh warning of heavy rains, floods this week as 172 killed since July

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Thursday warned authorities to take precautions with heavy rains forecast in various parts of the country till Aug. 18, saying that floods and landslides have already killed at least 172 people nationwide since July 1.

Pakistan’s provincial and national disaster management authorities said this week that torrential monsoon rains in the past six weeks have killed at least 172 people, with most of the casualties taking place in the eastern Punjab and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces.

“National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has anticipated more rains, wind and thundershower with isolated heavy rains in various regions of Pakistan until Aug 18,” the NDMA said in its latest advisory. 

“All relevant authorities and the public are urged to take necessary precautions to mitigate the potential impacts of flooding and landslides.”

It said more rains were expected in the Neelum and Jhelum rivers of northern Azad Kashmir as well as Barkhan, Bolan, Harnai, Jaffarabad, Kohlu, Musakhel, Nasirabad, Sherani, Sibi, and Zhob districts of southwestern Balochistan province.

The disaster management authority said Mirpurkhas, Dadu, Jacobabad, Khairpur, Larkana, Mithi, Matiari, Sanghar, and Sukkur districts of the southern Sindh province are also expected to receive rains till Aug. 18.

The NDMA issued instructions to all relevant departments to alert emergency response teams and mobilize resources for a swift response during an untoward situation. It also advised tourists to avoid traveling to the affected areas during the forecasted period.

“NDMA advises the public to stay informed and download the ‘Pak NDMA Disaster Alert’ mobile app for timely alerts and closely monitor weather reports,” the statement concluded.

Balochistan

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Balochistan has reported 15 casualties due to rain-related incidents in the country since July 1, of which six were children. It said partly cloudy weather along with light rain and thunderstorms is likely to take place in Ziarat, Harnai, Khuzdar, Kalat, Sikandarabad, Musa Khel, Barkhan, Kohlu, Dera Bugti, Awaran and Lasbela districts of the province during the next 24 hours.

Punjab 

Meanwhile, the Punjab PDMA warned of high-level floods in the Chenab River, advising commissioners in Multan, Gujarat, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Faisalabad and Dera Ghazi Khan cities to remain on high alert.

DG PDMA Irfan Kathia urged the emergency control room staff to stay on high alert and instructed concerned authorities to keep enough stock of petrol and diesel for rescue operations.

“Ensure the evacuation of houses and cattle in the rivers,” he said. “Provision of food, clean drinking water and other facilities should be ensured in the flood relief camp.”

Meanwhile, PDMA Punjab Spokesperson Mazhar Ali told Arab News on Wednesday that at least 26 people have been killed and 60 injured in the eastern province due to rain-related incidents during August.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

KP PDMA spokesperson Anwar Shahzad said 62 people died and 111 were wounded due to rain-related incidents in the province since the monsoon season began on July 1.

On the other hand, Adviser to KP CM Dr. Muhammad Saif has also urged concerned authorities to undertake precautionary measures and ensure smooth operations of communications and traffic.

“Emergency medicines have been provided to hospitals under precautionary measures,” he said. ” Any untoward incident can be reported on KP PDMA helpline 1700.”

Sindh

PDMA Sindh reported 31 deaths throughout the province so far including 10 men, four women and 17 children since July 1. It said 717 houses were destroyed in the floods of which 222 were completely destroyed and 495 underwent partial damages. Relief camps were currently housing 2,170 people.

The statement said heavy rainfall and thundershowers were likely to occur in Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Dadu, Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar and Sujawal districts from tomorrow till August 19.

Pakistan is recognized as one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change effects. Last month, a United Nations official warned that about 200,000 people could be affected by the ongoing monsoon season in Pakistan. In 2022, torrential rains and floods killed over 1,700 people and caused estimated losses of over $30 billion to the Pakistani economy.

Source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2567526/pakistan