24 killed as heavy rain wreaks havoc in Pakistan

Continuous rain paralyses normal life across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: At least 24 people, including women and children, were killed and dozens others injured after torrential rainstorms collapsed several homes during the last 24 hours, rescue officials and local media said on Saturday.

Heavy rains have lashed stretches of the country near the Afghan border since Thursday. Fourteen children and three women were killed in "rain-related incidents" in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, local relief official Taimur Ali said.

Two children died and eight others of the same family injured when roof of their house collapsed in Nowshera, according to Rescue 1122. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed the deaths.

Rain also damaged another 51 houses and snowfall blocked several roads in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), officials said, adding that many poorly built homes across the country – particularly in rural areas – are at a risk of collapse during the annual spring rains.

At least five people, including two children, were killed and dozens others injured in different parts of Punjab and Balochistan.

Provincial disaster management authorities of the K-P and Punjab have also issued an alert in the wake of harsh weather and possible flooding, advising all concerned authorities to take precautionary measures during the forecast period to avoid loss of life and damage to property.

The continuous rain and recent cold wave also paralysed normal life in the country as locals are facing problems of low gas pressure and electricity disruption due to technical problems and tripping of several grid stations.

In some areas, several electric poles fell due to thunderstorm and rain. Heavy rain and snow also affected the normal flow of traffic at national highways. Roads became slippery that caused several accidents.

Earlier on Monday, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued an alert for the new spell of rainfall in most parts of the country from Wednesday and forecast that the ongoing rainy spell is expected to continue till Saturday.

Under the influence of this weather system, rain with thunderstorm is expected in all districts of K-P, Islamabad, and several districts of Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh, the PMD notification stated.