Widespread monsoon rains and devastating floods continue across the country, and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has released a report on the damages caused by the rains and floods, as reported by national media on Friday.
According to the NDMA, 54 people lost their lives in various incidents across the country in the past 24 hours. All the fatalities occurred in Punjab, where 227 people were also injured during the rains.
The report states that from June 26 to July 17, a total of 178 people died and 491 were injured. Punjab recorded the highest number of casualties with 103 deaths and 385 injuries. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 38 people died and 57 were injured.
At least 20 people died and 40 were injured in Sindh, while in Balochistan, 16 people died and 4 were injured. In Azad Kashmir, 1 person died and 5 were injured, according to NDMA.
It is noteworthy that between July 16 and 17, heavy rains were reported in major cities of Punjab including Rawalpindi, Jhelum, and Chakwal, which caused flash flooding in streams and canals.
In Rawalpindi, 255 mm of rain fell within 15 hours, causing the water level of the Lai Nullah to rise to dangerous levels, triggering sirens. In Chakwal, after a cloudburst, 423 mm of rain led to the breach of a dam.
Thousands of electricity consumers in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, and Chakwal were also affected by the heavy rains. Continuous rainfall and floodwaters swept away several transformers, electric poles, and wires. The dam breach submerged dozens of settlements. Daily life was completely paralyzed.
Due to the torrential rains, 22 small dams in Chakwal overflowed. After the breach of the Panwal small dam, a dangerous flood surge emerged. Two vehicles and three people were swept away; two were rescued, but one remains missing.
