The first spell of monsoon has caused widespread devastation across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Punjab, with heavy rain, lightning strikes, flash floods and strong winds leaving several people dead, dozens injured and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) KP said at least nine people, including four children and one woman, have died in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since the start of the monsoon.
A total of 23 people, including 11 children and one woman, have been injured in incidents caused by lightning, cloudbursts, torrential rain and flash floods.
The disaster has also damaged 41 houses across the province, including four that were completely destroyed and 37 that sustained partial damage. PDMA also reported that 163 livestock were killed in flash floods.
Relief operations underway
PDMA spokesperson Anwar Shahzad said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister has directed the district administration to provide immediate relief supplies and assistance to victims in the affected areas.
He said authorities have also been instructed to speed up relief activities, while special measures are being taken to ensure the safety of tourists at popular tourist destinations.
The PDMA has already issued an alert warning of heavy rain, cloudbursts, landslides and flash floods across the province until July 5.
Three killed in Zhob after roof, wall collapses
Heavy rain and strong winds also caused severe damage in Zhob district of Balochistan.
According to police, a woman and a young girl died when the roof of a house collapsed near the bypass in New Abadi Killi Sheikhan after heavy rain and strong winds. Five people, including women and children, were injured after becoming trapped under the debris.
In a separate incident in the same area, a child lost his life when the wall of a house collapsed during the severe weather.
Rescue teams, district administration officials and local residents rushed to the affected sites and launched rescue operations. The bodies and injured were pulled from the rubble and shifted to DHQ Hospital Zhob, where the injured are receiving medical treatment.
Following the incidents, officials from the district administration and relevant agencies visited the affected areas to assess the damage.
Rain-related casualties reported in Punjab
Punjab also reported casualties during the past 24 hours as rain and strong winds affected several districts.
According to Rescue Punjab, two people were killed and nine others were injured in separate weather-related incidents.
In Attock, two people died and three others were injured after a wall collapsed. One person was injured after being struck by lightning in Khushab.
In Sargodha, another person was injured when a signboard collapsed due to strong winds. A separate incident in Sheikhupura left one person injured after a wooden roof collapsed.
Rescue Punjab said emergency teams immediately shifted all injured persons to hospitals for treatment.
Authorities urge public to remain cautious
Rescue Punjab has advised citizens to take precautionary measures during the ongoing monsoon season.
Authorities have urged people to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather and follow official advisories as heavy rain continues in several parts of the country.
