140 Children Among 299 Killed as Torrential Rains Ravage Region
Islamabad (The Uttam Hindu): Torrential rains during the monsoon have wreaked havoc in Pakistan. According to recent data released by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), at least 299 people, including 140 children, have lost their lives and 715 others have been injured since June 26.
According to local media, 715 other people were injured in rain-related incidents on Monday, including 239 children, 204 women and 272 men. Meanwhile, a total of 1,676 houses were damaged and 428 livestock were killed in flash floods and heavy rains. The floods have caused widespread devastation in many areas and caused heavy damage to local communities. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast continued rain in the upper and central regions of the country, Pakistani daily newspaper The Express Tribune reported.
Weak monsoon winds are expected to intensify on Monday and strong westerly waves are expected on Tuesday. According to the PMD's National Weather Forecasting Centre, heavy rains and thunderstorms are likely to occur in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB), Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Punjab and Islamabad by Thursday. The department also informed, "More rains and thunderstorms accompanied with wind are forecast in the coming week. Weak monsoon winds are persistent over upper/central parts of the country and are likely to intensify from August 4. A western disturbance is likely to strengthen on August 5." The department has forecast rain and thunderstorms in many parts of north-eastern Balochistan on August 6, warning that low-lying areas may be flooded and urging citizens to take necessary precautions.
"All concerned institutions have been directed to remain alert and take advance measures," the Met said. The Met warned that heavy rains could lead to flash floods in local drains in several areas, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Buner, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Murree, Galiat, Rawalpindi, north-east Punjab and PoK. Low-lying areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore and Sialkot are likely to be affected with possible urban flooding during this week.