Officials in Pakistan say that at least 36 people have been killed and around 50 injured due to heavy rains in different parts of the country since last Thursday. Due to the snowfall, the temperature has reached the freezing point in many areas, leading to a severe cold wave.
Emergency imposed in Sindh in view of forecast of heavy rains
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the most affected
At least 30 people have been reported killed by rains in various areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan since Thursday night. The province’s Disaster Management Authority said in a statement on Sunday that most of the dead were women and children. Gwadar: Thousands of people are homeless due to heavy rains Officials say heavy rains have caused several houses to collapse and roads have been closed due to landslides, particularly in the northwest.
Rains and floods in Pakistan, more than 150 people died
Rain and snowfall continued for the third consecutive day in most parts of the province, with 33 houses destroyed and 129 partially damaged. Similarly, dozens of cattle have also died in these rain-related incidents.
Tourists stuck in Gilgit-Baltistan
According to reports, all major roads in Gilgit-Baltistan were closed due to landslides. Electricity, water supply and communication services have also been severely affected in many areas. The Karakoram Highway, Baltistan Road and other major roads in Gilgit-Baltistan remained blocked at several places for the second consecutive day on Sunday, leaving thousands of tourists stranded at various places.
Monsoon rains in Pakistan, at least 50 dead
The local disaster management authority says that heavy rain and snowfall started in the upper reaches of the region on Friday evening. Due to landslides caused by rains, the Karakoram Highway was blocked at several places including Gilgit Diamer, Gilgit Hunza and Nagar sections.
10 people were killed by lightning in Pakistan, province of Punjab
Local government spokesman Faizullah Faraq says that efforts are underway to remove debris from the Karakoram Highway, Baltistan Road and other roads. At least 27 dead as storms and heavy rains hit Pakistan
He said, “The Karakoram highway is closed at 35 places in Kohistan and Diamar areas due to which thousands of travelers are stuck in severe cold.” Communication systems have also been damaged, while dozens of vehicles have been hit by rockfalls.
Heavy snowfall in Balochistan
Meanwhile, daily life has almost come to a standstill in Quetta and other northern areas of Balochistan due to heavy snowfall. Major highways and inter-provincial roads in the province have been closed since Saturday, cutting off connectivity to many areas from the district headquarters.
Quetta recorded a minimum temperature of minus six degrees Celsius while other areas like Kalat and Ziarat reached minus seven degrees. Water pipelines have frozen and burst due to cold weather. Local residents are facing power outages and reduced gas supply.
Five people died last week after floods hit the coastal city of Gwadar in Balochistan, while about 10,000 people had to be evacuated by boat. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said on Sunday that 700 houses have been damaged during these rains.
Pakistan experienced an unusual delay in winter rains this year, starting in February instead of November. However, monsoon and winter rains cause damage in Pakistan every year.
