NDMA reports 657 dead, 929 injured in rain-related incidents across country

ISLAMABAD: Several incidents and rain-related occurrences have resulted in over 657 fatalities and 929 injuries nationwide thus far during the current monsoon season, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

The report claims that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced the most devastation, with 390 reported fatalities. Punjab had 164, Sindh had 28, Balochistan had 20, Gilgit-Baltistan had 32, and Islamabad, the federal capital, had eight.

In contrast, 15 people, including 5 women, 5 men, and 5 children, have lost their lives in Azad Jammu and Kashmir thus far.

According to official data, 171 children and 94 women are also among the dead. Children were the most affected group in Punjab, where 70 children lost their lives.

NDMA has warned that the monsoon rains are not going to stop yet, with more spells of monsoon expected in the first 10 days of September.

The risk of flooding has increased in Neelum, Poonch, and Bagh in Azad Kashmir and Chitral, Dir, and Charsadda in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the next 24 to 48 hours.

Meteorological Department Weather Forecast

The Meteorological Department on Sunday issued a monsoon weather alert for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Punjab regarding heavy rain, cloudburst, and river flooding.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and the Meteorological Department have warned against the active monsoon system in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Punjab that heavy rain is possible in Mardan, Shangla, Buner, Swat, Mansehra, Peshawar, and other areas.

Heavy rain with thundershowers is also possible in Abbottabad, Battagram, Kohistan, as well as Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, and Rawalakot.

PDMA Punjab has issued a flood alert in rivers from August 17 to 23.

In an advisory, the PDMA warned that, along with cloudburst in upper Punjab, widespread heavy rain is likely in the province from today.

The PMD has predicted heavy rains as well as floods and landslides in Sindh and Balochistan.

Tourists have been advised to postpone their trips to mountainous areas, while the administration has been asked to remain vigilant.

It should be noted that a rain emergency has been imposed in Islamabad and Rawalpindi after heavy rains.