A total of 165 people were killed and 171 others injured in separate rain-related accidents during the pre-monsoon season in Pakistan since June 14, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Wednesday.
Balochistan remained the worst-hit region where 65 people died and 49 others sustained injuries due to torrential rains that triggered flash floods. Local media also reported several incidents of dam bursts, which swept away scores of houses and infrastructures. The Balochistan government on Tuesday imposed section 144 in the province amid more forecasts of rains for a month, a statement by the chief minister’s office of the province said.
According to section 144, the public will be restricted from going for picnics at rivers, dams, and other water reservoirs. Swimming in rivers and water streams will also be banned. Thirty-eight people were killed in separate accidents in Sindh, including in Karachi, which suffered heavy downpours for over a week. Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Thursday said that as many as 10 persons were killed and two injured in rain-related incidents in different parts of the province during the last 24 hours. In a report, the authority said that 10 houses were completely damaged while 20 suffered partial damage in different incidents, adding that as per the directives of Chief Minister Mahmood Khan the authority directed all district administrations to start rescue and relief operations in affected areas. It said that relief goods were distributed in Swabi, Tank and Bajaur while field staff had been deployed in Karak District for drainage of floodwater.
PDMA director general said that health teams, Rescue 1122, district administrations and paramedics have been mobilized in flood-affected areas to control the outbreak of diseases. Fumigation was being carried out in the affected areas while heavy machinery had been deployed for drainage of floodwater. The DG said that PDMA took timely action due to which the losses remained very low in the affected areas. The control room of PDMA was working round the clock for timely responding to any emergency.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Thursday urged the masses to ensure precautionary measures amid impending disaster risks as heavier monsoon rainfalls were predicted in various parts of the country. The NDMA on its official Twitter handle shared the public awareness infographic mentioning various precautionary measures to be adopted during multiple disaster hazards during rainy weather.
It mentioned that there were multiple natural disasters to take place during impending monsoon rains including the risk of flashflood in hilly and urban areas, land sliding and flood threat in streams and drains, sinking or submergence of bridges and road networks, urban flooding and water stagnation in low lying areas and rupturing of electric pole and power cables. The NDMA advised the public to ensure safety measures to circumvent any hazard and risk to life or property during the above mentioned disasters.
It said that the public should remain abreast with developing weather conditions, avoid unnecessary outdoor visits, and abstain from taking bath or cross nullahs, drains and rivers during monsoon rains, stay away from trees, dilapidated walls and bridges during strong gusts and thunderstorms. The Authority also advised people living in areas facing risk of urban flooding to avoid living in the basements, keep important documents and valuables safe in a bag in case of sudden evacuation from the house, avoid throwing garbage into the nullahs and sewage system, and ensure repair and cleanliness of sanitation system, weak ceilings and walls.
Widespread heavy rain is expected in Sindh, Balochistan, south Punjab and lower Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
