ISLAMABAD: The current monsoon rains have claimed at least 77 lives in the country so far, Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman said on Wednesday.
Addressing a press conference in the federal capital, Rahman said a total of 39 people died from Balochistan alone, the highest of any province.
The climate change minister termed the deaths a “national tragedy” as heavy rains have destroyed hundreds of homes and hampered rescue operations in remote areas.
He said the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has prepared a National Monsoon Contingency Plan but also called upon people to remain vigilant to prevent further damage.
“We need a comprehensive plan to stop these” [deaths and devastation] Because all this destruction is happening because of climate change,” the federal minister said.
The rains have not stopped and will continue till July 8, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), which has also warned of water-logging in low-lying areas.
Meteorological Department predicted more rain
Although Karachi did not receive heavy rains till almost the end of Wednesday afternoon, the metropolis is expected to receive 40-50 mm of rain under the influence of a strong weather system that has developed over the sea.
The Meteorological Department said that low air pressure is present in the south of Sindh, which is receiving moisture from the North Arabian Sea.
It said that intermittent moderate rain-thundershowers as well as heavy rain are very likely over Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Thatta, Hyderabad and Tando Allair till July 8.
The department has also forecast rain in Tando Muhammad Khan, Jamshoro, Sanghar, Nawabshah, Dadu, Noshero Firoz, Kambar Shahdadkot, Larkana, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Sukkur districts and Karachi till the same date.
“These rains may cause waterlogging in low-lying areas in Karachi Division, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Dadu, Kambar Shahdadkot, Shikarpur, Larkana, Jacobabad and Sukkur districts,” the Meteorological Department said.
Balochistan
After dozens of people died, the Balochistan government declared Quetta a disaster-hit region and imposed a state of emergency in the provincial capital.
The rivers and canals of the state are in spate due to the torrential rains. As of Wednesday morning, more than 20 people were injured as walls and roofs of dozens of houses collapsed and floods also caused people to drown.
According to the Balochistan Disaster Management Authority, Qila Saifullah, Jhob, Pishin and Harnai districts have been the most affected by the rains, while Muslim Bagh, Kamaruddin and Khushnoob have also reported floods.
Flash floods occurred overnight in several villages of Khushnoub and a link bridge was washed away, making it difficult for rescue workers to reach the affected people.
According to the assistant commissioner, the ward and emergency room of Muslim Bagh Civil Hospital were flooded, while in the hilly areas of Muslim Bagh, more than 100 houses were damaged due to rain.
In addition, the connecting roads of Kan Mehtarzai, Loi Band and Ragha Sultanzai were washed away in the flood.
The Chaman administration has said that more than 70 houses have been affected by the floods in Badijai and Torkhel areas, while the Harnai-Punjab-Loralai highway has been closed for traffic due to torrential rains.
According to Levy officials, a portion of the Velin Dam in the Afghan border area of Kamaruddin ruptured, causing water to enter low-lying areas and flood 11 homes. The affected have been shifted to safer places.
Levies officials said most of the roads leading to the remote areas of Qila Saifullah, Zhob and Harnai were affected and rescue operations were disrupted in many areas.