Islamabad– More than 50 people have died across Pakistan in recent days due to torrential rains and flash floods, with the highest number of fatalities reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where 21 people — including 10 children — lost their lives, local media reported on Tuesday.
In Balochistan, severe rainfall has devastated several districts, including Lasbela, Hub, Barkhan, Zhob, Harnai, and Dera Bugti. At least five people have died and six others were injured over the past two days after being swept away by floodwaters or drowning in dams.
Among the victims in Zhob were four members of the same family — three women and a child — who were killed after being carried away by sudden flash floods.
Following the tragedy, residents have called for better disaster preparedness, including improved early warning systems and safe tourism protocols, especially in remote and flood-prone areas like Zhob.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported widespread destruction to agricultural land and residential buildings in Balochistan. Ten homes collapsed in Khuzdar, while two buildings — including a school — collapsed in Ziarat. Heavy rainfall also partially damaged two bridges in the Quetta and Lasbela districts.
The Meteorological Department has forecast another intense spell of monsoon rains starting July 4, with precipitation expected to exceed seasonal averages.
Pakistan’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) has issued several impact-based weather alerts, warning of widespread rain, wind, and thunderstorms, along with isolated heavy downpours across various parts of the country from Sunday through Saturday.
Officials warned of potential urban flooding in low-lying areas of central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, and Kohat.
In southern Sindh, very heavy rainfall is expected to impact Hyderabad, Badin, Thatta, and Karachi between June 29 and July 5.
According to Swat district authorities, flash floods in the Swat River left 73 people stranded across multiple locations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Tragically, 17 people from two tourist families died after 18 of them were swept away by flash floods on Friday in the Fizagat area of Swat. The group was having breakfast near the riverbank when the water level suddenly surged, local media reported. The victims were residents of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. (Source: IANS)
