F.P. Report
ISLAMABAD: Flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains continue to wreak havoc across much of Pakistan as 36 more died in 24 hours, taking the death toll from calamity to 1162.
According to the National Disaster Management report, the heavy rains and flood have killed 249 people in Balochistan, 405 in Sindh, 187 in Punjab, 257 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 41 in Azad Kashmir and 22 in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The report added that 730483 cattle died and more than1057000 houses have been damaged due to rains and floods across the country. Furthermore, the floods have also caused great damage to the infrastructure and roads. Reportedly, 2328 kilometers of highways were affected in Sindh and 60 bridges were damaged. In KP, 1589 km roads were affected and 84 bridges were damaged. While in Gilgit-Baltistan, 16 kilometers of highways and 65 bridges were affected by the flood.
Meanwhile, at least 264 people including 36 women and 106 children have been killed in rains and floods-related incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since 15th June to 29th August, office of the Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) informed on Wednesday.
According to statistics issued by the PDMA, 327 people have been injured during the same period and shifted to local hospitals for treatment by the rescue workers. The statistics further showed that 156 schools and other educational institutions were damaged in the result of excessive rains and floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including in merged districts. The calamity also badly hit the livestock sector as 9411 animals reportedly died in the province.
The most affected calamity- hit districts of the province were Dera Ismail Khan, Swat, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Tank and Kohistan where floods and rains inflicted heavy losses on human lives, houses and standing crops. The DG PDMA, Sharif Hussain talking in this connection said the authority has so far released funds amounting to 850 million rupees for the affected districts since July till date. Besides, he said for the most affected districts, the authority provided tents, mattresses, edible and other needed items on emergency basis that were distributed among the affectees through the respective district administrations.
Since the first July, the authority has provided 8650 tents, 6850 waterproof canvases, 2800 blankets, 2500 plastic mates, 2550 kitchen sets and 2000 hygiene kits to the affected people. The relief and rescue activities in affected areas were still underway, the authority said. DG PDMA said as soon as the emergency situation comes to an end, compensation of losses to the affected people would start.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 159 relief camps have been established of which 77 were set up only in Nowshera district where affectees were being provided food and other necessary items. In DI Khan 25000 people have been accommodated in 11 big relief camps where all basic needs of life were being provided to them. In Charsadda, the district administration has set up 17 relief camps while in Dir Upper, seven camps and in Malakand and Mansehra each two camps have been established. According to DG PDMA Sharif Hussain relief activities were underway in affected areas and the provincial government was utilizing all available resources to provide relief to the people. The provincial government, he said, has also established multi-purpose flood control rooms and flood reporting mobile application to assist the situation. He said the PDMA has issued its Whatsapp number e.g. 03164261700 on which any information regarding flood relief activity could be shared adding the toll free number 1700 of the PDMA was also functional round the clock. Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Wednesday forecast mainly hot and humid weather in most parts of the country during next 24 hours.
However rain-thundershower may occur at isolated places of Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, northeastern Punjab and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the synoptic situation, continental air was prevailing over most parts of the country. A shallow westerly wave is still affecting Kashmir and adjoining areas.
During the last 24 hours, hot and humid weather prevailed over most parts of the country. However rain occurred in Narowal and Garhidupatta. The rainfall recorded during the period was Narowal and Garhidupatta 01mm. The highest maximum temperatures recorded during the period were Noor Pur Thal 41C, Dalbandin, Nokkundi and Sibbi 40 C. Moreover, at least 187 people, including 39 children, have lost their lives in flash floods trigged by heavy rains in Punjab, says PDMA on Wednesday. According to details, the PDMA has released a report containing the details of the damage caused by monsoon rains and flash floods in Punjab.
The PDMA, in its report, stated that the recent heavy monsoon rains and subsequent floods have killed almost 187 people – including 39 children and 42 women – and injured over 2,023 others in Punjab. The report further highlighted that almost 46,320 homes were either partially or completely damaged in the relentless downpours across the province. Rains and floods also caused death to over two lakh large animals.
Over 15,592 people were living in the relief camps established by the provincial government. The PDMA Punjab said the authority in concert with other government organisations is carrying out relief activities in the flood-ravaged areas. A day earlier, the United Nations (UN) issued a flash appeal for $160 million to help Pakistan cope with catastrophic floods that have killed more than 1,100 people and affected 33 million people.
“Pakistan is awash in suffering,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a video message for the launch of the appeal in Islamabad and Geneva. He further said: “The Pakistani people are facing a monsoon on steroids – the relentless impact of epochal levels of rain and flooding.”
Leaving a trail of devastation behind, floodwater from Balochistan on Wednesday entered in Khairpur Nathan Shah after causing breach in the Main Nara Valley (MNV) Drain. After overtopping the Indus Highway, the floodwater is heading towards Juhi and surrounding the town from all four sides.
