K-P rain death toll reaches 63

The death toll from rain-related incidents in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has risen to 63, with an additional four deaths reported over the past week. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), another 78 individuals have sustained injuries, further exacerbating the toll of the ongoing torrential rains.

Of the deceased, 33 were children, 15 were men, and 15 were women, while among the injured, 35 were men, 18 were women, and 23 were children, a PDMA official told The Express Tribune.

The devastating impact of the rains has resulted in 3,202 damaged houses, with 477 completely destroyed across various districts of K-P including Khyber, Dir Upper and Lower, Chitral Lower and Upper, Swat, Bajaur, Shangla, Manshera, Mohmand, Malakand, Karak, Tank, Mardan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Buner, Hangu, Batagram, Bannu, South and North Waziristan, Kohat, DI Khan, and Orakzai.

In response to the crisis, PDMA has disbursed Rs110 million in funds to compensate victims across all affected districts. However, the situation remains dire as ongoing spring rains continue to heighten the risk of flooding not only in K-P but also in other provinces of the country.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued directives for relevant authorities to remain vigilant, anticipating intermittent rainfall until April 22. The statement warned of potential flooding in Balochistan’s Kech, Kalat, Khuzdar, and Awaran districts, as well as in K-P’s Malakand, Swabi, Kohistan, Mardan, Shangla, Charsadda, Swat, and Nowshera districts. All administrative agencies have been urged to stay alert for any emergency situations that may arise.

In K-P alone, heavy rains have claimed 36 lives, including 20 children, eight men, and eight women. Responding to the crisis, the PDMA has released Rs110 million for financial assistance and relief activities, as instructed by the Chief Minister.

Relief efforts are ongoing in various affected districts, including Swat, Chitral Lower, Bajaur, Kohistan Lower, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mohmand, Upper Dir, Tank, and DI Khan, where relief supplies such as tents, mats, kitchen sets, blankets, beds, tarps, and solar lamps are being distributed to affected families.

Meanwhile, Balochistan has also been severely affected, with torrential rains claiming 16 lives in the past three days alone.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 22^nd, 2024.