Massive rains, flash floods kill nearly 100 in Pakistan

Around 70 people also lost lives in neighbouring Afghanistan due to rains, floods, according to authorities

ISLAMABAD:

Nearly 100 people were killed and dozens of others injured in rain-triggered incidents during the last week after heavy rains and floods hit the northwestern and southwestern parts of the country.

According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), heavy rains caused flash floods in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Balochistan, Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

So far, 98 people have been killed and 89 others injured in these areas due to collapsing structures, according to the NDMA's latest report.

Read also: Spring rains raise flood risk: NDMA

Some 3,261 houses were also damaged, with 536 fully destroyed.

Heavy floods and land sliding also caused damage to roads and bridges in hilly areas of K-P and Balochistan.

In a separate statement, the NDMA warned that the ongoing rains will continue till April 22 with potential flooding in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

"The expected rainfall may trigger flash floods in local nullahs of several regions, including Khuzdar, Ziarat, Zhob, Sherani, Muslim Bagh, Quetta, Pishin, Kech, Panjgur, Gwadar, and Turbat," it said.

They also predicted heavy rain from April 25 to 29 and urged the public to stay away from weak infrastructure and refrain from driving or walking in waterways.

Floods in Afghanistan

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's Ministry of Disaster Management said at least 70 people were killed and 56 others injured due to heavy rains and floods in several parts of the country during the past week.

The devastating floods also damaged 2,627 houses partially and fully while over 600 livestock also perished, state-run Bakhtar News Agency reported, citing the ministry report.

The weather agency predicted that the current spell of rains will continue until Sunday.