Monsoon rains have intensified across the country. Both light and heavy rain disrupts daily life from Karachi to Khyber and Gilgit Baltistan. It has led to overflow of canals, flooding low-lying areas, putting several regions on alert.

Intermittent rain in Karachi, heavy rain in Lahore drowns the city

On Wednesday, light and heavy rains continued intermittently in different areas of Karachi, while low-lying areas were submerged due to heavy rain in Lahore since early morning. 107 mm of rain was recorded on Airport Road. Thunderstorms also occurred in Lahore, Chichawatni, Sahiwal, Sialkot and Toba Tek Singh.

234 deaths so far due to monsoon rains, Punjab worst affected

According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), 234 people have died across the country since June 26 due to rain and floods, including 113 children.

• Punjab: 135 deaths
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 56 deaths
• Sindh: 24 deaths
• Balochistan: 16 deaths
• Azad Kashmir: 2 deaths
• Islamabad: 1 death

According to the NDMA, 596 people have been injured, 826 houses have been damaged, and 203 livestock have been killed.

Destruction in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan, 11 more deaths

11 more people died due to heavy rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan on Tuesday.

• Swat: 6 deaths including 4 children

• Bajor: 2 deaths

• Bunir, Upper Kohistan and Astore: 1,1 deaths

In Swat, the incidents of roop collapse and people being swept away in drains were reported in ongoing downpour.

Meanwhile, the ongoing flood in Dinewar and Thor drains in Gilgit Baltistan inundated the WAPDA colony. It has caused extensive damage to roads and bridges, it further calls for relief efforts.

250 tourists safely evacuated from Babusar

More than 250 tourists stranded in Diamer and Astore due to heavy rains were safely evacuated by the Pakistan Army, Rescue, Police and local volunteers. Tourists stranded on the Skardu-Deosai road were also rescued.

Flood risks: Flooding in rivers, Gulf alert issued

Dozens of villages affected due to flooding in the Sutlej, Ravi, Chenab and Sindh rivers in Punjab, people are being shifted to safer places in Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan and Jhang.

The Meteorological Department issued a Glacier Outburst Flood (GLOF) and Landslide alert for Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Prime Minister’s instructions, orders to expedite relief work

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has expressed grief over the deaths caused by floods and rains and has directed that relief, rescue and rehabilitation work be expedited in the affected areas, especially in the search for the father and daughter who were swept away in the Nala Lai.

62 relief operations, dozens of relief camps established

According to the NDMA, 62 rescue operations were conducted across the country, 450 people were shifted to safe places, 27 relief camps and medical centers have been established. Thousands of victims have been provided with tents, blankets, food packs and medical aid.

Meteorological department warns:

Rains will continue in the coming days, which may increase the risk of further flooding, landslides and avalanches in areas like Chitral, Dir, Gilgit, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Muzaffarabad and Neelum Valley.

Authorities have appealed to the public to stay away from low-lying areas, river banks and mountain slopes and to contact rescue agencies immediately in case of any emergency.