Heavy rainfall and flashfloods have killed 113 people and damaged more than 10,000 houses since June 15 across Punjab.
This was informed in a report prepared by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab, presented to Chief Minister Parvez Elahi, regarding damages due to heavy rains and floods reported until July 30.
The extreme monsoon spells continued to wreak havoc, causing flashfloods in rivers and drains and urban flooding in several parts of the country. While carrying on its relief operations in the most affected areas, authorities have predicted more rainfalls in the coming days as monsoon currents are penetrating in upper and central parts of Pakistan, while westerly waves are also affecting upper parts of the country.
The provincial agency’s report is enough to expose how vulnerable the provinces are to climate change.
In its report, the PDMA informed that during one-and-a-half months since the monsoon entered the country, at least 83 people had lost their lives in different rain-related incidents like electrocution, road accidents, roof collapses and others. Moreover, 28 more people were killed due to flashfloods caused by heavy rainfalls in different cities of the province, especially in south Punjab during the period.
It said that 107 people were injured, of them, 28 were seriously hurt in floods, and continued that during the said period at least 2,462 people, including children and women, were safely evacuated from flooded areas by rescue teams.
“At least 10,797 houses have been damaged” during this period, the report stated and further informed that thousands of farmers had been deprived of their crops as over 401,970 acres of agricultural land had been inundated.
Due to heavy downpours and flashfloods, a large number of animals died in several cities of the province. The report stated, “Since June 15, as many as 3,036 animals, including goats, buffalos, cows, horses and others, have died in the recent monsoon and floods, while 501 animals have been rescued from the flooded areas.”
Meanwhile, rescue and relief operations of PDMA and other departments are continuing across the province. The PDMA said in its report that 7,819 people have been provided treatment facilities at the relief camps.
During the relief operations, the report said that at least 29 relief camps had been established in Mianwali and DG Khan, where at least 1,516 people from 176 families were residing.
“People residing in relief camps are being provided with all possible facilities, including thrice-a-day meals, clean water and medication,” it said, adding that at least six other camps had been set up for the victims’ animals.
The PDMA also informed that it had vaccinated over 54,000 animals of flood victims.
On other hand, the Met Office has predicted more rain-wind/thundershower in Kashmir, upper/central Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, north Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Few heavy falls are also expected in Kashmir and Northeastern Punjab. However, it has predicted humid weather in other parts of the country.
During the last 24 hours, the maximum rain was recorded at 121mm in Muzaffarabad, 31mm in Garhi Dupatta, 23mm in Rawalakot, 4mm in Kotli, 106mm in Murree, 88mm in Islamabad at Saidpur, 80mm in Khanewal, 70mm in Mandi Bahauddin, 59mm in Chakwal, 36mm in Kror (Layyah), 28mm in Gujranwala, 27mm in Jhelum and 24 mm in Gujrat.
