Death toll soars to 27 as torrential rains batter K-P

PDMA says 169 others were injured in rain-related incidents in Bannu, Karak, DI Khan and Lakki Marwat

PESHAWAR:

The death toll has risen to at least 27 with 169 Injured in recent storms and heavy rainfall in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s (K-P) districts of Bannu, Karak, DI Khan and Lakki Marwat, the local disaster management authority said on Sunday.

Since yesterday, K-P’s southern districts, including Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Karak, have borne the brunt of powerful storms that swept away homes, uprooted trees and electricity pylons and left hundreds of people stranded, the officials said.

The combination of heavy rainfall and fierce winds has led to tragic incidents, including the collapse of walls, roofs and falling trees, resulting in the loss of two lives and several injuries.

As per the hospital sources, strong winds and heavy rainfall have resulted in five people's deaths and left 39 individuals wounded in Lakki Marwat.

خیبر پختونخواہ اور پنجاب میں طوفانی بارشوں کی وجہ سے مختلف حادثات میں 29 افراد کے جاں بحق ہونے پر دلی افسوس ہوا۔ جاں بحق ہونے والے افراد کے سوگوار لواحقین کے دکھ میں برابر کے شریک ہیں۔ ان حادثات میں زخمی ہونے والے افراد کی جلد صحتیابی کیلئے دعاگو ہوں۔ پاک افواج، پی ڈی ایم اے اور… pic.twitter.com/TJVaXBCcRK

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In Karak, the official sources revealed, the windstorm claimed the lives of five people, leaving ten injured.

The devastation has resulted in significant financial losses, primarily affecting the solar panel plants installed on the rooftops of mosques, schools, and houses.

Estimates suggest that these damages have amounted to millions of rupees, leaving countless solar panels missing or severely damaged. Moreover, a majority of the affected areas are currently deprived of electricity.

Read more: 25 people killed as rains wreak havoc in K-P, Punjab

Sources said that the toll of casualties caused by the severe storm has now reached 15 in Bannu whereas the collapse of roofs and falling trees resulted in the loss of two lives including a minor girl.

"At least 69 houses were partially damaged," the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said in a statement.

"Efforts are underway to ensure relief reaches the victims," said Secretary Relief, Rehabilitation & Settlement Department, Abdul Basit. "The provincial government is trying to provide assistance to the victims."

The PDMA spokesperson also revealed that on the instructions of the K-P government, Rs40 million have been released for the aid of affectees in Bannu.

"The PDMA is in close contact with the district administrations," said the Secretary Relief, adding, "aid must be provided to the affectees as per the government policy."

Meanwhile, four people have been killed in rain-related incidents in different districts of Punjab.

Three girls died after the wall of their house collapsed in Khushab district whereas a man was killed in Hafizabad in a similar incident.

At least 10 people were injured and several trees were uprooted in Punjab. In different areas of the region including Gujranwala, 100 feeders of Gepco tripped after which several parts of the division fell in darkness.

The rescue teams of the Pakistan Army have initiated relief efforts in Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Karak – most-affected parts of K-P.

They shifted the injured to district hospitals whereas an emergency has been declared in the government hospitals in Bannu district.

The prime minister has also directed the National Disaster Management Authority to ensure steps were taken for relief and rehabilitation in the affected areas and to work in cooperation with the PDMA and Rescue 1122.