Death toll from heavy rains in Pakistan rises to 71

Death toll from recent heavy rain spells across Pakistan has risen to 71 after 17 more people lost their lives in different rain related incidents since Wednesday, local media and officials said on Thursday.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Pakistan said that 54 people died and 66 suffered injuries from June 26 to July 11, while local media reported on Thursday that 17 people have died so far since Wednesday due to torrential rains, increasing the death toll to 71.

According to the reports, at least 69 people have been wounded and 63 houses damaged since June 26 when the rainy season started.

One of the latest incidents took place on Thursday morning in Pakistani capital of Islamabad where at least four people, including three women, were killed and another was injured after walls of two different houses collapsed due to heavy rain pouring for hours.

In another incident, a house collapsed in the country's southern port city of Karachi, killing a woman and leaving her son injured.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasted about the thunderstorm and heavy rainfall across the country in the coming days, most likely triggering high flood in two major rivers passing through eastern Punjab province, along with associated canals.

Consequently, rain is expected to flood the low-lying areas of southern Sindh and Punjab provinces, as well as parts of southwest Balochistan province, according to the PMD.

Local governments have been directed to take necessary measures to prevent any untoward incident, the NDMA said.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed the NDMA and all provincial governments to take preparatory measures to contain any potential damage caused by the rains. He said the authorities should keep residents of vulnerable areas informed regarding emergency procedures and ensure timely evacuations.

source: xinhua