Monsoon Havoc: Zardari and Sharif Order Expedited Relief Efforts

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have instructed relevant authorities to accelerate rescue and rehabilitation operations. Recent torrential rains have resulted in a tragic loss of life, with 21 additional fatalities reported in the last 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 242 since the monsoon season began.

According to data from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), these deaths were caused by various factors, including flash floods, collapsing structures, drowning incidents, electrocution, lightning strikes, and landslides.

Regional Breakdown of Casualties
  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 10 deaths, 2 injuries
  • Islamabad: 5 deaths, 1 injury
  • Sindh: 2 deaths
  • Gilgit-Baltistan: 3 deaths, 1 injury
  • Azad Kashmir: 1 death, 2 injuries

Among the 21 individuals who died recently, there were six men, three women, and twelve children. The injured included two men, one woman, and three children.

The NDMA reported that the overall casualty count since the monsoon’s onset has reached 242 deaths and 598 injuries. This includes 83 men, 43 women, and 116 children among the deceased, and 232 men, 167 women, and 199 children among the injured.

Punjab Heavily Affected

Punjab has recorded the highest number of casualties, with 135 deaths and 470 injuries. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa follows with 56 deaths and 71 injuries, while Sindh has reported 24 deaths and 40 injuries.

Other regions affected include Balochistan (16 deaths, 4 injuries), Gilgit-Baltistan (3 deaths, 4 injuries), Azad Kashmir (2 deaths, 8 injuries), and Islamabad (6 deaths, 1 injury).

The NDMA indicated that the majority of fatalities resulted from houses collapsing due to the heavy rains, followed by drowning incidents, lightning strikes, flash floods, electrocution, and landslides.

In the last 24 hours, 50 houses were destroyed, and eight livestock animals perished. Since the monsoon began, a total of 854 houses have been damaged, and 208 livestock animals have been killed.

Government Response

Both the President and Prime Minister have conveyed their profound grief over the loss of lives caused by the rains and floods across the country.

They have instructed the concerned departments to enhance relief efforts in the affected regions.

PM Shehbaz has directed the NDMA to maintain close communication with provinces and relevant departments, ensuring they receive all necessary support.

Shehbaz Sharif stressed the importance of providing immediate relief to those affected and ensuring preparedness to manage any potential crises in the coming days.

The Prime Minister also tasked the National Highway Authority (NHA) and the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) with expediting the restoration of highways and connecting roads impacted by the floods.

Weather Forecast and Precautions

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a forecast predicting rain-wind and thundershowers in Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, and northeast Balochistan from tonight until July 23.

The PMD has warned that intense rainfall could trigger flash flooding in local streams and nullahs, particularly in northern and hilly areas. There is also a risk of urban flooding in major cities and landslides in vulnerable hilly regions.