Four additional casualties reported in KP, urban flood emergency declared in Quetta due to ongoing rainfall

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, four more individuals lost their lives due to rain-related incidents, while the Balochistan government declared an “urban flood emergency” in Quetta, officials reported on Monday.

Continuous heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms have affected various parts of the country over the past few days, resulting in a total of 39 fatalities, with 12 occurring on Sunday alone — six in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, four in Punjab, and two in Balochistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that he had instructed the chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority to coordinate with all provinces regarding the rainfall situation. During a high-level meeting on power projects, he expressed condolences for the lives lost and urged for concerted efforts to ensure timely relief distribution.

Heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides have persisted in northern parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the fourth consecutive day. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), four children lost their lives in the Lower Dir district, bringing the total casualties to 12, with several others injured.

The PDMA noted significant damages, including the destruction of 85 houses and incidents of wall and roof collapses in various districts. Several rivers, including the Panjkora and Swat rivers, experienced high-level flows, exacerbating the flooding situation.

In Balochistan, rains continued to lash parts of Makran and other regions, raising the death toll to 10 in the province. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority imposed an “urban flood emergency” in Quetta to manage the situation effectively.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti convened a meeting with divisional commissioners and PDMA officials to assess the rainfall situation and oversee rescue and relief operations. He emphasized the government’s commitment to assisting affected communities and addressing drainage issues promptly.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department forecasted further rainfall, thunderstorms, and occasional gaps during the week, with the possibility of flash flooding in several areas. Authorities have been instructed to take proactive measures to mitigate the impact of the weather system on vulnerable communities.

Reports indicated severe damages to infrastructure, transportation networks, and disruptions to essential services across affected regions. Efforts are underway to provide relief to affected populations and restore normalcy amidst the challenging weather conditions.