Pakistan – Deadly Floods Hit Sindh and Balochistan Provinces

Flooding has been reported in the Pakistan provinces of Sindh and Balochistan after a period of heavy rain over the past few days, leaving at least 26 people dead.

The recent flood related deaths in Balochistan and Sindh brings the total number of victims from this year’s monsoon to 108 in all provinces, according to officials in Pakistan.

Balochistan Province

Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported yesterday that at least 5 people died in flash floods in Harnai district, Balochistan Province on 06 August. The victims died when five vehicles carrying 54 passengers were swept away by fast moving flood water in Zardalu. Local disaster management teams managed to rescue 49 of the passengers.

In Jhal Magsi District, Balochistan, hundreds of people were evacuated when flash floods threatened the village of Sangani Ghot. No los of life was reported, although the floods caused damage to over 100 homes in the area. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority has distributed relief items including tents to those affected.

NDMA also report that around 40 people were rescued after they were trapped in their vehicles in flash floods in Lasbela district.

Sindh Province

At least 21 people have died after continuous rainfall caused flooding in urban parts of Sindh Province, including Karachi and Hyderabad. Hyderabad recorded 77 mm of rain in 24 hours to 07 August 2016.

NDMA report 14 deaths in Karachi, 1 in Hyderabad, 5 in Tando Allahyar and 1 in Mirpur Khas.

The flood water has mostly receded but some standing water is still reported at numerous locations in both Karachi and Hyderabad.

Most of the people who died were killed by electrocution or were crushed when walls or buildings collapsed on them, according to reports by Associated Press.

River Flood Warnings

Pakistan Meteorological Department Flood Forecasting Division say that sharp peaks of “high to very high flood” level are expected for the River Jhelum at Mangla in Azad Kashmir, and high flood level is expected for the River Chenab at Marala, Khanki and Qadirabad in Punjab Province.

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF)

Pakistan Meteorological Department has also warned of the increased likelihood of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF). On 07 August, the department warned:

“Air temperature in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral has risen 3-4 degrees Celsius during the last few days. Moreover, due to expected rainfall during the next 2-3 days, melt rate will increase, which may cause GLOF in vulnerable areas.”