Pakistan Rain: Over 80 injured and 87 killed as a strong storm causes havoc; emergency declared in Karachi

Islamabad: Heavy downpours continued to wreak havoc in several regions of Pakistan during the previous week, resulting in at least 87 deaths and 82 injuries from distinct rain-related accidents, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). 2,715 homes have been completely or partly destroyed nationwide, according to the NDMA. Flash floods, lightning strikes, and structure collapses were the main causes of the fatalities. The biggest number of fatalities—36 individuals killed and 53 injured—were recorded in the northwest region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The province of eastern Punjab, which recorded 25 fatalities and 8 injuries, is next in line.

Regional Effects

There were fifteen deaths and ten injuries reported in the southwestern region of Balochistan; in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the torrential rains caused eleven fatalities and eleven injuries. There has been extensive destruction, impacting many parts of the nation.

Government Reaction

Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister, expressed his sincere regret for the rain-related deaths and property damage. He asked the relevant authorities to try to restore highways that were blocked because of landslides and excessive rains, as well as speed relief operations in the affected districts.

The weather forecast

According to the NDMA, flash floods might occur in a number of locations during the rainy season, which is expected to last until April 22. To prevent further harm and guarantee public safety, the authorities are on high alert.

In Karachi, the Pakistan Met Department has declared a rain emergency.
As rain persisted in various areas on Thursday, the Pakistan Meteorological Department declared a rain emergency in Karachi, according to The News International.

According to chief meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz, rain has started falling in a number of Balochistani locations. According to Sarfraz, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are expected to get significant rainfall as a result of the rain system from Balochistan moving into those two provinces.