— KP Govt declares rain emergency in Lower, Upper Chitral
PESHAWAR: A report released by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Sunday revealed that heavy rains across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have resulted in the tragic death of nine people, with one person sustaining wounds.
The rainfall and floods have caused significant damage to residential properties, with 67 houses being partially damaged and 7 houses completely destroyed across the province. Specifically, 39 houses in Lower Chitral and 19 houses in Upper Chitral were partially damaged due to the floods.
In response to the situation, the Relief Department has taken action, with District Administration, PDMA, Rescue 1122, Civil Defence, and related institutions being placed on alert.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Sunday declared a rain emergency in Lower and Upper Chitral following flash floods and torrential downpour. Heavy rain with strong winds and thunderstorms lashed parts of the province on Saturday, triggering landslides and destroying infrastructure.
The rain continued intermittently through the day, resulting in a “large-scale devastation” in the district. The deluge also triggered flash floods in Chitral, which washed away bridges, roads, and livestock. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, several areas of the country are likely to continue to receive rain until July 26.
The notification issued by the Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement Department on Sunday said that the deputy commissioners of both districts had requested for an “emergency” to be declared in order to enable them to “launch immediate rescue and relief activities”.
Therefore, the provincial government declared a rain emergency in the two districts with immediate effect, adding that it would remain in place till August 15 “for provision of relief and restoration of damaged communication network and water supply”.
Meanwhile, KP Interim Chief Minister Mohammad Azam Khan directed the relief department and the district administration to remain on “high alert”. He directed authorities to immediately launch relief and rescue activities and to ensure that aid was provided to the affectees.
The chief minister also ordered for the affected people to be moved to safer locations and asserted that the provincial government would help them “in every possible way”.
Separately, four people of the same family lost their lives while one was injured in a landslide in Gilgit Baltistan’s Skardu district, police said. Skardu Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Raja Mirza Hasan said a family hailing from the Astore district was heading to Gilgit from Skardu when the landslide occurred.
He added that as the family fled their car for safety, they got caught in another landslide, which killed three women and a child. SSP Hasan further said that officials could not reach the affected family immediately as the highway was blocked at four points due to landslides triggered by rainfall. Rescue teams are trying to reach the site of the incident to recover the injured and the bodies, he added.
Relief materials have been provided to the affected families in Chitral Upper, and a comprehensive damage assessment will be conducted in Lower Chitral once the floodwaters recede.
To ensure the safety of vulnerable communities, the district administration has already shifted sensitive populations in Chitral Lower to safer locations, along with the distribution of food items (dry ration) to the affected families.
Moreover, the road in Dir Lower has been cleared for traffic by the district administration, and heavy machinery has been mobilized to expedite the restoration of roads.
The PDMA has issued precautionary measures to all relevant institutions and district administrations, emphasizing the importance of preparedness for rains, flash floods, urban flooding, and river flooding.
Rescue 1122 has been actively engaged in Monsoon Mock Exercises, Preparation, and Training, including conducting evacuation training in boats to effectively respond to potential flood situations in the monsoon season.
The department has demonstrated its capabilities with practical exercises in the Kabul River in Nowshera, successfully rescuing people trapped in the floods using boats.
Additionally, Rescue 1122 has undertaken scuba diving search operations and is providing training to security agencies, civil defense, schools, colleges, and local residents across the province.
As the region grapples with the aftermath of heavy rains and floods, the government and relevant authorities are working diligently to provide relief, assistance, and prepare for any further challenges that may arise in the monsoon season.
FLOOD ALERTS FOR PUNJAB, SINDH
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued flood alerts for different parts of Punjab and Sindh, as heavy rains are expected from July 23 to July 29.
River levels in Punjab are rising, and further swelling is anticipated in River Chenab, River Jhelum, and River Ravi, leading to a medium to high flood risk.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of landslides in hilly areas such as Murree, Gulliyat, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Additionally, regions like Kashmir, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Bunir, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Rawalpindi/Islamabad, and Dera Ghazi Khan are prone to flooding during this period due to heavy rainfall.
Furthermore, districts in Sindh, including Tharparkar, Umarkot, Mirpur Khas, Sanghar, Khairpur, Kashmore, Ghotki, Nowshehro Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad, Matiari, Hyderabad, Tando Allah Yar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Badin, Thatta, Sajawal, Karachi, and Hyderabad, are also at risk of water accumulation in low-lying areas.
The PDMA has urged district administrations across the province to be on high alert and prepared to respond to any emergencies arising from the predicted heavy rainfall and flooding.
Meanwhile, the water level in River Indus at Taunsa Barrage has risen significantly, putting the river in low flood status. Within just 12 hours, the water level increased by 50,000 cusecs, and an additional 350,000 cusecs of water is expected to pass through the area in the next 48 hours.
Local authorities have advised residents living near the river to evacuate to safer locations promptly, along with their cattle, to avoid potential risks.
