Pakistan – at Least 46 Killed After Floods in North

In Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported earlier today that 46 people had died and 41 were injured as torrential rain and floods hit the province on Saturday 02 April, 2016. At least 60 houses have been damaged. Full damage assessments were still awaited from remote areas of the province.

Many of the deaths are thought to have been caused by collapsing buildings. Other victims were swept away by flood water or struck by lighting.

Kohistan and Shanlga were among the worst affected districts. At least 14 people have died, 13 injured and 26 houses damaged in Shangla. Twelve have been killed in Kohistan and 2 injured.

Several rivers in the area, including the Swat River, have reportedly overflowed. PDMA say that the Swat district has also suffered severe losses with at least 8 people dead. Officials said the Swat River was in a “high level flood” at Ayub bridge in Swat. People have been asked to evacuate from areas near the river.

Gilgit-Baltistan and Afghanistan

Flooding and severe weather has also affected parts of the province of Gilgit-Baltistan. Further details are as yet unavailable.

Turkish newspaper, Daily Sabah, says that heavy rain and flooding has also affected parts of Afghanistan. In a report earlier today, the newspaper says:

Meanwhile in Afghanistan, the floods killed 30 people, destroyed over 20 homes, while communications were knocked out and several roads blocked by flooding, said Wais Barmak, state minister for the Afghanistan Natural Disaster Management Authority.

The worst affected areas include central Daikundi, Uruzgan and Ghazni provinces.

Record Breaking Rainfall

Pakistan Meteorological Department say that at least 4 locations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded the highest ever amounts of rain seen in a 24 hour period. Kalam recorded 62 mm of rain in 24 hours between 02 and 03 April. Malam Jabba saw 115 mm, Pattan 94.1 mm and Saidu Sharif 67.6 mm.

Since the start of April 2016, Dir has seen 107 mm, Malam Jabba 127 mm, Parachinar 117 mm and Pattan 132.2 mm.

Weather Warnings

Pakistan Meteorological Department had issued as warning on 01 April, saying:

“Widespread rain and thundershowers with isolated heavy falls were expected in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Batagram, Mansehra districts), Gilgit-Baltistan (Gilgit, Ghizer, Diamer & Astore districts) and Kashmir (Neelam Valley and Muzaffarabad districts) during Saturday evening to Sunday.

Heavy downpours may trigger landslides in the vulnerable areas during the period.

Heavy downpours may also generate isolated flash flooding in the local ravines and streams of the above mentioned areas on Saturday/Sunday.

Concerned authorities of said areas are advised to remain ALERT in next two days.”

Prime Minister Requests Timely Aid and Relief

In a statement earlier today, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives due to floods caused by rains in different parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Prime Minister has directed National Disaster Management Authority ( NDMA) and other concerned authorities to ensure timely relief activities for the victims; including provision of proper medical care, food and shelter for the affected. The Prime Minister has further directed to keep him updated on the situation.

Over 150 Killed by Floods and Heavy Rain in Pakistan Since Early March 2016

This recent flood disaster comes soon after over 100 people lost their lives in the country after heavy rain and floods between 09 and 22 March 2016 that affected at least 6 provinces.

During that time, the deaths occurred in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (38, including 7 in Orakzai), Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (36), Balochistan (19) Punjab (14), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (13) and Gilgit-Baltistan (1).

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