A farmer swims using an empty drum in a flooded area near Qasim Bela village on the outskirts of Multan. Photo: REUTERS
GILGIT/LAHORE:
The national death toll from this year’s monsoon rains climbed above 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 the 24 hours till 1 p.m., seven people died in Punjab and three in KP, taking the national death toll since June 26 to 107. Punjab recorded two deaths each in Gujrat and Okara, while one death each 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 due to house collapses, electrocutions and drownings.
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 recorded the highest number of deaths with 55, followed by Punjab with 36. Azad Jammu and Kashmir 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 livestock across the country. Rescue teams have carried out 130 operations since the start of the season, rescuing 3,841 people. Infrastructure has also suffered damage, with roads in parts of KP and Gilgit-Baltistan disrupted by landslides and rising water levels.
Punjab bore a significant share of seasonal losses. Most deaths in the province are linked to collapsing mud houses, lightning and electrocution.
Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan remains one of the worst-affected regions, where flash floods, mudslides 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 disasters were recorded in the region, with Astore reporting the highest number of damaged houses, Diamer suffering significant destruction and Skardu recording the highest number of bridge losses.
Relief operations continue in the mountainous region, with food parcels, tents and other emergency supplies distributed to affected communities, while the National Highway Authority has stepped up snow clearance work on main roads.
Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to follow official weather advisories and avoid unnecessary travel as a new round of monsoon rains is expected later this week.
