ISLAMABAD: At least 24 people were killed and 80 others injured in rain-related incidents in Pakistan’s Punjab province this month, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Sunday, warning of more showers in the next two days.
Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) this month warned that the country’s Punjab and Sindh provinces could face an “emergency” situation due to torrential rains this monsoon season.
Torrential rains lashed Lahore, Sargodha, Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad, Kot Addu and Bahawalpur cities of the Punjab province in the last two days, according to the Punjab PDMA.
“At least 24 people were killed and another 80 were injured due to torrential rains, while around 40 houses were damaged this month across the province,” Punjab PDMA spokesperson Muhammad Mazhar told Arab News.
“Tonight, there are chances of heavy rains in different districts of Punjab, with more heavy rains expected across the province on Monday and Tuesday.”
The provincial government had directed authorities to provide financial compensation to relatives of the victims, according to the PDMA spokesperson.
Mazhar urged people to maintain a safe distance from electric poles and wires, and avoid gatherings on dilapidated roofs during the forecast period.
The PDMA has asked district authorities to activate round-the-clock control rooms to monitor situation in each district.
“Municipalities and the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) have been asked to remain vigilant, especially in low-lying areas, and keep de-watering and pumping stations ready,” it said in a statement.
Monsoon rains in Punjab are expected to continue till July 15, while the flow of water in the province’s rivers and barrages is at normal level for the time being.
“In emergency situations, call on PDMA’s flood helpline 1129,” the PDMA added.
Earlier in April, heavy rains triggered landslides and flash floods in Pakistan, leaving 92 people dead and another 116 wounded.
Pakistan’s Punjab reported 21 deaths from lightning and roof collapses while the country’s southwestern Balochistan province reported at least 15 deaths from torrential rains.
The NDMA this month launched a community engagement app for Pakistanis ahead of the monsoon season. The ‘Pak NDMA Disaster Alert’ mobile app generates alerts and updates guidance for organizations and individual responders in national and provincial languages.
Large swathes of the South Asian nation were submerged in 2022 due to extremely heavy monsoon rains and melting glaciers, a phenomenon linked to climate change, that damaged crops and infrastructure. killed at least 1,700 people, displaced millions, and inflicted billions of dollars in losses.
