Monsoon Rains Cause Tragic Losses in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Monsoon rains and the remnants of Cyclonic Storm Asna have caused severe devastation across Pakistan. In Balochistan, five children died, raising the death toll to 39 since July 1, with 19 children among the victims. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that a new spell of rain began a day ago, affecting 22 districts.

Younus Mengal, head of the PDMA’s control room, confirmed that relief efforts are ongoing in the calamity-hit areas. Among the tragic incidents, two brothers drowned in flash floods in Zhob District, and their bodies were later recovered. In Khuzdar District’s Tootak area, three children were rescued after falling into a dam, but two of them succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. Another child drowned in a flash flood in the Kech River.

The PDMA has declared 11 districts in Balochistan as calamity-hit, with rescue and relief operations underway. Holidays for PDMA and other government employees have been suspended to ensure an effective response to the ongoing crisis.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, heavy rains have also taken a severe toll. The PDMA confirmed that three people were killed when a landslide struck a bus in Upper Kohistan, while a minor was struck by lightning in Malakand District. The Karakoram Highway, which had been blocked by landslides, was reopened after authorities cleared the debris, allowing stranded vehicles and passengers to continue their journeys.

The province has seen a total of 96 deaths and 133 injuries from rain-related incidents since July 1, with 963 houses damaged due to flash floods and heavy downpours. The PDMA is coordinating closely with district authorities to provide aid and relief to the affected areas.

Other regions in Pakistan, including Punjab and Sindh, are bracing for more rainfall. Lahore recorded 201mm of rain, leading to concerns of potential flooding in nearby rivers. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of further rains in eastern Sindh, with Karachi expected to experience isolated thunderstorms over the next few days. Authorities across the country remain on high alert, with disaster management teams working around the clock to mitigate the impact of the ongoing monsoon season.