In a tragic turn of events, heavy rainfall and strong storms have wreaked havoc across Pakistan, resulting in the loss of 15 lives and leaving more than 100 people, including women and children, injured. The regions most affected by the heavy rainfall and accompanying damage are Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, according to reports from ARY News.
Various cities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, such as Swat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Shakargarh, Hangu, Tank, Mingora, Murree, and Shangla, experienced intense downpours. Similarly, in Punjab, cities like Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Bhakkar, and Pir Mahal, among others, witnessed heavy rainfall and storms.
The strong storms and torrential rain have resulted in the collapse of walls, roofs, and trees throughout the country. Emergency measures have been put in place as the death toll is expected to rise, and hospitals have been placed on high alert.
Earlier, heavy rains battered Hyderabad and other areas of Sindh, claiming the lives of nine people in the span of 48 hours. The region experienced gusts of wind, hailstorms, and lightning, exacerbating the plight of the affected population.
The twin cities of Hyderabad and Kotri witnessed heavy showers and hailstorms, with hailstones the size of golf balls causing damage to vehicles and windows in Hyderabad’s SITE area. Furthermore, strong winds uprooted trees and caused damage to numerous vehicles.
In Kotri City, the heavy rainfall led to the tragic deaths of three children, while seven other individuals sustained injuries. According to the police, the children were playing when a wall collapsed, resulting in their immediate demise.
It is worth mentioning that Senator Sherry Rehman, the Federal Minister for Climate Change, had previously expressed concerns about the weather patterns in Pakistan. She highlighted that Pakistan is one of the 20 countries predicted to experience above-normal rainfall, along with nations like America, Turkey, and Iran. The recurrence of the El Niño ocean trend for the third time in the past two years has raised alarm bells, further emphasizing the need for caution.
As Pakistan grapples with the aftermath of the heavy rainfall and storms, rescue and relief efforts are underway to provide assistance to the affected areas and ensure the safety of the population.