The recent rains have killed 23 people in Sindh, majority of them belong to provincial metropolitan Karachi, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Wednesday. According to NDMA, the death toll in Sindh after current spell of heavy rains has reached to 38 persons from 15, the authority said that during current monsoon season a total 164 people have lost their lives countrywide, while another 167 have been injured.
According to latest NDMA situation report, 38 people have been killed in Punjab in rain related incidents, 38 in Sindh, 28 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 26 in Balochistan, 18 in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), 8 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 5 in Azad Kashmir and three in Islamabad. Among the injured persons 83 in Punjab, 33 in KP, 22 in Sindh, 20 in FATA and four in Gilgit Baltistan. The flooding has also resulted in the destruction of 440 houses countrywide of which 34 in Punjab, 232 in KP, 43 in Sindh, 36 in Balochistan, 30 in Azad Kashmir, 9 in FATA, 55 in Gilgit-Baltistan and one in Islamabad.
According to Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD), no significant rainfall reported in last 24 hours. However, PMD has predicted scattered thunderstorm /rain with isolated heavy falls over Malakand, Hazara, Kohat, Bannu, DI Khan, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala Divisions along with Upper catchments of Rivers Indus, Jhelum and Chenab. PMD also predicted isolated thunderstorm/rain in Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Multan and DG Khan Divisions along with Northeast Balochistan and Upper catchments of Rivers Sutlej and Ravi. NDMA has advised relevant quarters to take following precautionary measures in the wake of heavy rains which can trigger devastating flooding situation.
(i) Critical monitoring of main sewerage channels passing from all major cities by relevant stakeholders/ city governments. Any unusual rise in water of such water channels should be timely intimated to all concerned.
(ii) Prudent placing and timely mobilization of earth moving machinery for restoration of road infrastructure when required.
(iii) Vulnerable communities along reaches of all the major rivers, their tributaries & Nullahs to be sensitised for requisite precautionary measures.
(iv) Ensure availability of medicines for water borne diseases in the hospitals of Karachi District.
(v) Availability of required number of emergency staff during Eid holidays.
(vi) In case of any eventuality, twice daily updates should be shared with NDMA.
(vii) Any department/agency can approach NDMA's National Emergency Operation Room for any assistance related to disasters.
According to PMD monthly outlook for September released here on Wednesday which is prepared based on regional and global weather conditions incorporating the climate system dynamics, the monsoon is expected to remain in weaker phase during the ongoing month in South Asia including Pakistan.