ISLAMABAD: At least 43 people lost their lives due to monsoon rainfall and the flooding caused by it, according to a report published by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
According to the report, 11 casualties were reported in Punjab, 15 in Balochistan, six in Sindh and two in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Similarly, rains took the lives of four people in FATA and five people in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The report also highlights damage to infrastructure, noting that monsoon rains have so far destroyed 60 houses.
The NDMA has also recorded the deaths of four children in Waziristan over the last 24 hours due to rain and flooding. The bodies of three victims were recovered, while one remains missing.
Rains left most of the rivers in the country flowing at normal levels; however, Kabul River at Nowshera and the Chenab at Marala are experiencing low levels of flooding.
The report also states that Tarbela and Mangla dams are nearly at full capacity following the downpours.
Tarbela Dam’s reservoir is at a current level of 1,475.76 feet, which is 95 percent of its maximum capacity of 1,550 feet. Moreover, Mangla Dam’s reservoir is at a current level of 1,201.65 feet, which is 96.75 percent of its maximum capacity of 1,242 feet.
On the other hand, hundreds of tourists and passengers were reportedly stranded due to flooding in Chitral, while the locals launched rescue activities on their own.
According to details, the recent spell of heavy rainfall caused flooding in streams and blockage of roads from Lowari Top to adjoining areas due to which several cars carrying tourists were trapped, creating troubles for the passengers.
The stuck-up tourists and local people said that no government official had arrived at the scene to direct cleaning process. However, the natives started the operation by themselves, but due to lack of heavy machinery they are facing difficulties in the relief work.
Floods in Chitral last year caused many deaths and led to vast devastations. The people said that the administration had not learnt any lesson from last year and did not make preparations for relief of the people ahead of monsoon rains.
Published in Daily Times, July 5th , 2017.
