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By APD writer Muhammad Sohail
ISLAMABAD, June 30 (APD) -- At least 25 people have been killed so far during last 48 hours in the first spell of Monsoon rains in different areas of Pakistan, local media reported on Friday.
Four people lost their lives due to lightning and rain related incidents in Pakistan’s southern province of Sindh.
Four people drowned in low floods witnessed in the country’s northwest tribal region while a young boy died in northwest Chitral in a rain related incident.
While in the country’s southwest province of Balochistan where a red alert has been issued for possible flash floods and disruption of road communication, nine people lost their lives while five others were rescued when swiped away by flood water.
At least seven people were killed in different cities of eastern Punjab province due to heavy rains.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department said more rain, accompanied by thundershowers and gusty winds, are expected in various areas in the coming days.
A large number of people, who had left for picnics in the country’s northern region were stranded by the floodwater.
Torrential rain that started on Thursday wrought havoc on the creaky civic infrastructure of Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi, causing massive urban flooding and widespread power outages. The downpour dumped a total of 54mm (a little over two inches) of rainfall over 48 hours in Karachi, a city with over 20 million population.
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and all provincial governments to take preparatory measures to contain any potential damage caused by the rains as the opening spell of monsoon season has already started.
The PM said the authorities should keep residents of vulnerable areas informed regarding emergency procedures and ensure timely evacuations.
In 2010, Pakistan suffered flash floods resulting from heavy monsoon rains which directly affected approximately one-fifth of Pakistan's total land. According to Pakistani government data, the floods directly affected about 20 million people, mostly by destruction of property, livelihood and infrastructure, with a death toll of close to 2,000 and leaving a loss of about 43 billion US dollars.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
