Gilgit:
At least nine people have lost their lives while torrential rains continue to trigger floods and landslides through Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), officials confirmed on Friday, with dozens of other injured and research still in progress for fearing people.
According to government spokesperson GB, Faizullah Faraq, the dead include two women and two children. “The number of people swept away by flood waters could be around 12 to 14,” he said in a statement, adding that efforts were still underway to trace the missing.
Faraq added that more than a dozen people had been injured in the disaster that takes place, while more than 300 tourists blocked in various parts of the region have been saved so far.
Describing the magnitude of destruction, Faraq said: “In total, more than 500 houses were destroyed due to the floods and approximately 12 kilometers of roads were also destroyed”.
He also detailed that 27 bridges and 22 vehicles had also been carried away, in addition to “countless stores, cattle hangars and wooden balls”.
He recognized the critical role played by the Pakistani army and the Gilgit-Baltistan scouts in rescue and research efforts, which are carried out under extremely difficult conditions due to the weather and persistent disturbances.
With several cut areas, the authorities are now running to restore basic public services. “Efforts are also underway to provide water and electricity to thousands of people who are now deprived of these facilities due to damage to water supply and electricity networks,” said Faraq.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has planned an intense monsoon activity during the coming week, warning strong precipitation in several regions of the country from July 27 to July 31.
According to the Met Office, monsoon’s currents gain in force, with generalized showers expected during the five -day fate.
The department specifically warned that between July 27 and July 30, sudden floods are probably in rivers and seasonal rivers (nulllahs), especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, GB and Azad Jammu and Cashmire, where the rain accompanied by strong winds is expected.
From July 28 to 31, several Punjab districts are also likely to receive precipitation with thunder and lightning, while southern Punjab and parts of the Balutchistan were also placed under a rain opinion.
The MET department has warned of urban floods in major cities, notably Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala and Sialkot, and advised travelers and tourists to be cautious in light of potential landslides in vulnerable regions.
He also warned that low -infrastructure areas can deal with structural damage and disturbances due to upcoming weather conditions.
Monsoon du Punjab
Friday, the provincial Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) published a new Mousson alert, providing for the fifth rains of monsoon in most regions of the province from July 28 to July 31.
According to the spokesperson for the PDMA, widespread precipitation is expected during this period in the districts of Murrier, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala and Hafizabad.
The other districts likely to live in the rain include Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad and Okara.
The PDMA also predicted precipitation in Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar, Bahawalpur, Khanewal, Pakpattan, Vehari, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur from July 29 to 31.
The director general PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia ordered all the assistant commissioners of the Punjab to remain under alert for the planned meteorological situation.
He warned that there is a risk of urban floods in the main urban centers, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Faisalabad.
The PDMA asked the services, including civil defense, rescue 1122 and other allied agencies, to ensure that the preventive provisions are fully in place. “In accordance with the directives of the Punjab chief minister, all the relevant services have received an alert state,” DG Irfan Ali Kathia said.
He also ordered that the emergency control rooms remain entirely equipped with personnel and assets, while the intervention teams in the event of a rescue 1122 disaster are maintained on alert.
In a warning to the public, the PDMA urged citizens to follow precautionary measures and to avoid unnecessary travel, especially in vulnerable areas.
“There is an increased risk of landslides in hilly regions such as Murrier and Galiyat, while the fragile and structured buildings of the mud can undergo damage due to strong precipitation,” said the PDMA.
“It is advisable for passengers and tourists to remain cautious due to the expected weather and to avoid non-essential trips,” added the spokesperson.
In the case of urban or sudden floods, the public is advisable to seek shelter in safe places and not to try to cross the flowing water. For any urgency, citizens can contact the PDMA assistance line at 1129, noted the spokesperson.
