Flash floods due to torrential rains have killed 49 people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), according to figures released by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), here on Monday. Figures showed that torrential rains and flash floods were wreaking havoc in KP, Fata and Balochistan as more incidents of house collapse and rain-related casualties took the death toll to 49 with 80 people injured and 72 houses damaged.
According to NDMA, flash floods have killed 10 people in Punjab, 18 in Balochistan, six in KP, eight in Fata and seven in Orakzai Agency. As a result of flash floods total 80 people were injured out of which 18 in Punjab, 22 in Balochistan, 15 in KP, 15 in Fata and 10 in Orakzai Agency.
The floods resulted in damage of total 75 houses across the country out of which four in Punjab, 49 in Balochistan, 19 in KP and three in Fata. The routine life in the flood-hit region has been badly disrupted owing to continued downpour and thousands stand affected. The major and the most tragic incident took place on Saturday evening when two mines caved in leaving eight people dead and over two dozen injured in Dolay area of Orakzai Agency. Majority of the victims belonged to Shangla district.
In Khyber Agency, Mohmand, Bajaur and FR areas at least eight people were reportedly killed and several others injured in the rain-related incidents. The officials of the Fata Disaster Management Authority said that most casualties occurred due to house collapse in different areas. There are also reports of large scale destruction due to torrential rains in various settled areas of KP, wherein four people have died and dozens wounded as several houses collapsed. In Malakand division too, as many as three people were reportedly dead and 15 others injured due to rains that resulted in the collapse of many houses.
The NDMA said the detailed assessment is being made about the losses of lives and property, claiming the departments and various agencies attached with the disaster management and rescue operations have been geared up to meet the emergency situation.
The downpour was badly disrupting the relief activities. Army teams are engaged in relief and rescue work in various parts. The Met Office has predicted more rains in coming days.
According to the officials, at least 18 people died and 22 injured as torrential rain wreaked havoc in Balochistan. Floodwater swept away entire roads. All the casualties occurred due to roof collapse and most of the incidents were reported from Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata.
Pakistan Metrological Department has issued a fresh warning according to which a western wave is likely to enter northern parts of Balochistan, KP and Fata on Wednesday (tomorrow) and likely to spread over Punjab, KP, GB, and Kashmir on Thursday. This weather system will be in its full swing over upper KP, Fata, upper Punjab and Kashmir on Thursday and Friday and its intensity is expected to decrease on Saturday and Sunday. El Nino has entered in its declining phase yet, likely to continue influencing the weather pattern of Pakistan during the spring season.