Pakistan Floods – Death Toll Rises, 23 Missing in Landslide

Disaster management authorities in Pakistan say that the death toll from the continuing heavy rains and floods that began on 02 April 2016 has now increased to 92. As many as 77 people have been injured and over 1,200 homes damaged.

At least 65 of the fatalities occurred in the worst hit province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The figure is likely to rise further after a devastating landslide struck in upper Kohistan Valley area early on Monday 04 April, 2016.

It is believed that around 30 people have been buried in the landslide. As of Tuesday, rescuers had recovered 2 bodies and rescued 5 injured from the buried houses. At least 23 people are still missing.

Fifteen of the 92 fatalities occurred in Gilgit-Baltistan province and 12 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Rainfall

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said that, between 02 and 03 April, at least 4 locations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded the highest ever amounts of rain seen in a 24 hour period.

The rain has eased over the last 2 days. According to PMD figures, the only location to receive any significant rainfall is Parachinar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where 35.4 mm has been recorded so far today.

However, PMD warn there is more rain likely from Saturday 09 April to Monday 11 April.

In their weather advisory earlier today, PMD said:

“Rain-thunderstorm is expected at scattered place in Northeast Balochistan (Quetta, Zhob, Kalat, Sibbi, Naseerabad divisions) during Friday (evening) to Sunday.

“Rain-thunderstorm associated with gusty winds is expected at scattered place in FATA, upper KP (Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Bannu divisions), Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir from Friday (night) to Monday. Islamabad and upper Punjab (Sargodha, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala divisions) during Saturday to Monday.

“Rain-thunderstorm is also expected at isolated place in D.I.Khan, D.G.Khan, Multan, Faisalabad, Lahore & Sahiwal divisions during Saturday/ Sunday.”

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