KARACHI/QUETTA/SIALKOT: Eight more people lost their lives in rain-related incidents in parts of the country on Sunday.
Three more people were killed in rain-related incidents in various areas of Karachi.
At least 31 people have been killed and scores gone missing, as heavy rains have been lashing Sindh and Balochistan provinces for the last three days. Karachi was badly hit by the rains where at least 14 people were killed and several others injured. The Edhi Foundation said that eight people died of electrocution in the metropolis whereas six others were killed in separate incidents of roof collapse.
Seven people were killed in separate rain-triggered accidents in other districts of the province. Road and air traffic was disrupted due to heavy downpour, which started on Friday afternoon and continued till Sunday. Numerous roads of Karachi remained flooded and many electricity poles fell down, suspending electricity supply to various areas of the provincial capital. The meteorological office said the city received 30mm to 56mm of rain on Sunday.
Eight people were killed, five injured and eight others went missing in the Harnai District of Balochistan in the last two days, officials said. Deputy Commissioner Asmatullah Qureshi said that a flash flood swept away six cars at the famous lakeside picnic point Zard Aloo in the district. He said that floodwater also swept away 21 people inside the cars. He said that bodies of eight of these people had been retrieved by Sunday afternoon. He said that a search for the remaining people was under way.
The meteorological office said that thunderstorm and heavy rainfall was likely to hit parts of Sindh, Balochistan and other provinces of the country over the next 24 hours. Torrential rains may generate flash floods and landslides in the vulnerable areas of the country and rainwater may wreak havoc in the low-lying areas.
Floodwater from nearby mountains caused severe flooding in Dadu’s Gaj River. The river water level touched 18 feet (maximum level is 27 feet) on Sunday. The Johi Wahi Pandi Road was inundated at two points because of which nearby villages, including Drigh Bala and Gorakh hill station, lost ground contact with Johi. Flooding in the Gaj River is also likely to lift water level at the Manchar Lake.
Incessant rain has also started filling up the Hub Dam. According to the dam administration, the water level has increased by 18 feet to reach 292.2 feet. The total height of the dam is 339 feet.
On the brighter side, Karachi has been able to stock water to meet its need for at least one year, experts said. Following two days of rain in Karachi, water still remains on the roads in several parts of the metropolis.
Dozens of mud houses collapsed and cattle were swept away in flash floods, as Lasbela District and adjoining areas received heavy rain for several hours on Sunday.
Flash flood triggered by heavy downpour entered Pir Goth area of Uthal Tehsil in Lasbela where dozens of houses were damaged. The flash flood also wreaked havoc in Faqir Bashwani Goth, Lakhra, Liari, Bela and Wandi areas where floodwater entered houses, badly damaging them. Cattle were washed away in flash flood. “We retrieved a dead cow from floodwater,” an official of the rescue team said.
“Our area is disconnected from rest of the country as floodwater has besieged it and entered our houses,” Abdul Raheem, a resident of Pir Goth, said over the telephone.
In Punjab, the Sialkot District received widespread rain on Sunday. Sialkot ADCG Dr Umer Sher Chatta said the city received 37.2mm rain, which began early in the morning and continued throughout the day. It inundated low-lying urban and rural areas, causing serious problems for the people. Chenab and Tavi rivers remained in high flood at Head Marala and Chaprar. Dek was also reported in high flood near Chahoor in the Pasrur Tehsil.
Sialkot District Coordination Officer Dr Asif Tufail said that 311,840 cusecs of floodwater was passing through the River Chenab at Head Marala. He said that River Tavi was facing a high flood tide with 27,444 cusecs of water. He said that floodwater level was continuously rising in Chenab and Tavi rivers. However, he said, the situation was under control in the district.