Heavy monsoon rains, flash floods leave at least another 44 dead in Pakistan

Islamabad, Aug 1 (EFE).- Monsoon rains and flash floods in Pakistan have killed 44 people, including 7 children, during the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 478 since the rainy season started on Jun.14, according to official figures Monday.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said in a statement that 536 people have been injured so far in the rain related incidents.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited rain and floods affected areas in the most affected province of Balochistan on a second consecutive day where he announced compensations for those affected.

At least 136 people have died so far in the impoverished Balochistan province.

“Today, I want to tell you that during this time of hardship, not just the federal and provincial governments, but all the institutions of the country are here to help you,” the prime minister said while addressing the people during his visit.

According to NDMA figures, since the start of the monsoon this year, 7,472 houses have been fully damaged and 29,481 houses partially damaged.

Moreover, a total of 997 kilometers of roads have been damaged and 72 bridges have collapsed, including 56 foot-bridges.

The military’s media wing ISPR said in a statement that the army and Frontier Corps troops are continuing flood relief activities in different flood hit areas of the country.

It said the troops are busy in rescue and relief efforts apart from providing medical care and opening up communication infrastructure.

The ISPR added that the Pakistan army has pledged its share of two days rations to the flood affected population in Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted more rains in the affected areas in the coming days.

The south Asian nation witnessed an intense heatwave earlier this year causing losses of human lives and properties of thousands of people.

The country ranks among the 10 most affected countries by climate change. EFE

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