ISLAMABAD: At least nine people have been killed in Pakistan as torrential rains and remnants of Cyclone Asna continue to impact various regions of the country. Authorities say that five children have died in Balochistan and four people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province over the past 24 hours.
Balochistan
According to Younus Mengal, head of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), 39 people have died in rain-related incidents in Balochistan since July 1, including 19 children.
Mengal detailed that a recent spell of rain has affected 22 districts, with ongoing relief and rescue operations. Notable incidents include the drowning of two brothers in Zhob District and three children in Khuzdar District, with only one of the children surviving after a dam incident. A fifth child also drowned in Kech District.
The PDMA reported that 11 districts in Balochistan have been declared calamity-hit. The report indicated extensive damage, including 895 completely destroyed houses and over 14,000 partially damaged. Additionally, 111,400 people have been affected, with significant damage to infrastructure and agriculture.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, four fatalities were reported due to heavy rainfall. A landslide in Upper Kohistan killed three people from a bus, and a minor was struck by lightning in Malakand District. The Karakoram Highway, blocked by landslides, has been reopened after clearing efforts.
Punjab and Sindh:
The monsoon currents have also affected Punjab, with heavy rainfall recorded in Lahore and Gujranwala. Lahore received 201 mm of rain, while Gujranwala saw 196 mm. In Balochistan, Ziarat received 22 mm, and Kalat 13 mm. Karachi, however, remained dry but is expected to experience thunderstorms and rain in the coming days.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasts continued rain and thunderstorms in various Sindh districts, including Karachi, with temperatures expected to range between 32-34°C during the day and 25°C at night.
The ongoing monsoon has left Karachi’s infrastructure damaged, prompting criticism from opposition lawmakers.
The PMD alerts indicate that more rain is likely, and authorities are working to manage the impact and assist affected areas.
