8 die as rains, flash flood hit several cities in Pakistan

FAISALABAD/ISLAMABAD/ CHAKDARRA/TANK/QUETTA/KARACHI: Eight people, including a woman and a three-year-old child, lost their lives while several others were injured in heavy rains, flash flood and roof collapse incidents during rain across the country on Saturday.

In the first incident in Punjab, three labourers, 40-year-old Rizwan, 18-year-old Wasif and 30-year-old Mansoor, died when the roof of a room collapsed due to accumulated rainwater in FIEDMC Economic Zone while another worker, 55-year-old Rashid, was severely injured. In the second incident, 40-year-old Khalid and his three-year-old son were buried under the rubble and died when their roof caved in during rain in Iqbal Nagar, Samundri. In the third incident, 35-year-old Abida died when the roof of her home collapsed in Chak 431/GB. In the fourth incident, 40-year-old Sajida, her 18-year-old son Rizwan and 15-year-old daughter Hira were severely injured when the roof of their home caved in due to rain on Narwala Road near Aminpur Bypass. In the fifth incident, the roof of a roadside eatery collapsed on Jhumra Road, injuring 36-year-old Samira and 17-year-old Ali Haider.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Saturday warned of potential urban flooding due to the combination of heavy rain and strong winds in various cities. According to a private news channel, the NDMA alert said that multiple cities including Lahore, Sialkot, and Narowal are particularly at risk of urban flooding from heavy downpours over the next 24 to 48 hours and a medium to high-level flood surge was also expected in the Chenab River. The NDMA officials have also indicated that Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, and Multan may face urban flooding, with a heightened risk of flash floods in the mountainous streams of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur.

Meanwhile, two teenagers drowned in a seasonal spring in Adenzai tehsil in Chakdarra while flash floods triggered by cloudburst inundated many houses and shops in Garhi Baloch and Jandola Bazaar in Tank, an official said on Saturday. The local divers pulled out their bodies from the water and handed them over to their families. The deceased were identified as Sudais, 12, son of Ghani Rahman and Hassan, 15, son of Yousaf Khan.

Flash floods also affected the traffic on Pak-Afghan Highway in Landikotal tehsil of Khyber district.

Meanwhile, various districts of Balochistan have been hit by torrential rains. Flash floods have entered homes and shops and the communication system has been disrupted. The northeastern region of Balochistan, including Chaman, is under the influence of a powerful weather system.

In Chaman, due to rain and storm, houses, walls and solar panels collapsed, injuring 10 people. The Sadiq Cricket Stadium in Chaman was completely destroyed by the storm.

In Quetta, heavy rain made the weather pleasant, but power outages have started in most areas. The Quetta-Chaman railway track was also washed away by the flash floods once again.

Heavy rain in Jafarabad and nearby areas has caused destruction, with rainwater entering homes and shops in Dera Allah Yar. In Dera Allah Yar, Rojhan Jamali, Cattle Farm, and Mohabbat Branch, the rain continues intermittently. A breach occurred in the Jhaddar Branch due to the flood, turning streets, alleys and neighborhoods into pools. Rainwater entered homes and shops on the National Highway, as well as in Sohbatpur, Osta Mohammad and Adalat Road, causing difficulties for citizens and traders.

In Manjhipur City and its surroundings, rain with thunder continues. The rain has increased the pressure in the sub-branches of Sam and Pat Feeder canals and electricity has disappeared.

In Sibi, efforts are ongoing to protect rural populations and agricultural lands from damage caused by monsoon rains and floodwaters. In Kalat city and its surroundings, rain led to flash floods. Low-lying areas were submerged, rainwater entered homes and the emergency ward of DHQ Hospital Kalat. Roads in various rural areas of Kalat were washed away by the floods, cutting off land connections with different rural areas.

According to the PDMA spokesperson, rain has occurred in Khuzdar, Loralai, Sibi, Zhob, and Muslim Bagh in the last 24 hours, with 16mm of rain recorded in Loralai, 13mm in Sibi, 6mm in Khuzdar, 3mm in Muslim Bagh and 2mm in Zhob. The spokesperson said that light rain has also been recorded in Ziarat, Barkhan, Kohlu, Nasirabad, Jhal Magsi, Jafarabad, and Osta Mohammad. Rain is expected to continue in Zhob, Barkhan, Ziarat, Loralai, Harnai, Sibi, Kalat, Khuzdar, and Jafarabad for the next two to three days.

According to the Meteorological Department, the temperature in the coastal areas of the province was recorded at 32 degrees in Jiwani and 33 degrees in Gwadar. In Turbat, the maximum temperature was recorded at 45 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature in Nokundi was recorded at 47 degrees Celsius. Similarly, the maximum temperature was recorded at 39 degrees in Sibi, 30 degrees in Kalat and 33 degrees Celsius in the provincial capital Quetta.

The Meteorological Department has predicted strong winds and rain with thunder in Qila Saifullah, Mastung, and other areas. However, the weather in Zhob, Barkhan, Musakhel, Loralai, Quetta, Ziarat, Sherani, Qila Abdullah, and most districts of the province is expected to remain hot and partially cloudy.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s (PMD) earlier forecast on Saturday showed the possibility of heavy rain in Karachi and other districts of lower Sindh. But it is almost over as most of the monsoon system has moved towards central, upper Sindh and Balochistan. The PMD said that Karachi may now experience light to moderate rain.

However, several other cities of Sindh, including Jacobabad, Larkana, Dadu, Shikarpur, Ghotki and Sukkur, are expected to be hit with heavy rain.