ISLAMABAD, Aug 29 (NNN-PPI) – At least 106 people have been killed and 52 injured since June 15, in separate incidents triggered-off by torrential monsoon rains in Pakistan, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said in a report.
South Sindh province was the worst hit where 34 people were killed and nine others injured, in the rain-related incidents, the authority said, adding that, 24 houses were also damaged in the heavy downpour.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, told a press conference that, 80 people were killed in rains in the province, with 47 fatalities in the provincial capital, Karachi, alone.
He said, 604-mm rainfall was recorded in Karachi during Aug, breaking years-long record of heavy rains in the city during the month.
A total of 29 people were killed, and a same number of others injured, with 196 houses being destroyed in the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the NDMA said, adding that, two bridges and three mosques were also swept away by the waters, gushing through residential areas, roads and open fields.
The rains caused a disastrous situation in southwest Balochistan province, where scores were left homeless after their houses were swept away by flash floods triggered off by lashing rains. The NDMA said, 15 people were killed, seven others injured and 907 houses damaged in the pouring rains.
In east Punjab province, north Gilgit-Baltistan region and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, 12, 10 and six people were killed in accidents caused by the rains, respectively. About seven people were also injured in the areas.
NDMA provided 10,985 tents, 409.6 tonnes of food items, 2,956 blankets, 2,200 mosquito nets, 2,350 plastic mats, 2,000 tarpaulins and 222 de-watering pumps in the affected areas.
The authority said that scattered thunderstorms and rain with isolated heavy falls is expected in parts of the country today.
Monsoon winds are the major source of downpour in the country, during the months of July-Sept. Rains also cause destruction in the country almost every year, inundating low-lying areas and sweeping away houses located near river banks.
This year, the meteorological department forecast more than usual rains during the ongoing season, and the concerned departments issued advisories for the general public to take self-precautionary measures during the season.– NNN-PPI
