ReliefWeb

No major damages reported despite heavy monsoon rains from early morning Tuesday

Countrywide heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan have triggered flash floods, claimed the lives of at least 83 people and rendered thousands homeless since 1 August. The rains have also led to an extensive loss of crops, property and livelihoods, and caused widespread damages to infrastructure. (Please find details on losses and damages by the National Disaster Management Authority here.) The Government of Pakistan has not requested international assistance at this stage.

Heavy rains fell across Islamabad and Rawalpindi today, blocking roads and flooding low-lying areas. Media reports indicate in the last 24 hours, 54mm rainfall was recorded in Peshawar and 49mm in Risalpur (both in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), 47mm in Islamabad and 30mm in Sialkot (Punjab).

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued an alert considering the alarming situation caused by the rising water level in Nullah Lai (stream). The Rawalpindi administration has instructed residents of the adjoining areas to evacuate.

The PMD has forecast widespread rain and thundershowers with scattered heavy falls in Punjab and Islamabad during the next 24 hours, which may cause flash flooding in the vulnerable areas and local streams of Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Lahore and Dera Ghazi Khan divisions and Islamabad.

Widespread intermittent rain/thundershowers with scattered heavy falls are also expected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the next two days. The heavy rains may generate urban and flash flooding in the vulnerable areas/ local streams of the province (Malakand, Hazara, Mardan, Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan divisions).

Similarly, widespread intermittent rain/thundershowers with scattered heavy falls are expected in north-eastern Balochistan (Sibbi, Nasirabad, Zhob and Kalat Divisions) during next two to three days. These heavy rains may generate urban and flash flooding in the vulnerable areas/local streams of north-eastern Balochistan (Zhob, Sibbi, Naseerabad Divisions) from Tuesday to Thursday.

Balochistan

In Balochistan, water has receded in most areas that were affected by flash flooding in early August and a sense of normalcy has returned. Meanwhile, media reports indicate torrential rains have caused destruction in Kalat District following weeklong rains. Roads leading to various areas in the district have been swept away, electricity supply has been interrupted, and thousands of people are in need of food.

Punjab

District authorities in Rajanpur are assessing losses from earlier flash floods and delivering aid by road after water receded from most areas, though some link roads are still under water. Malaria, diarrhoea, gastrointestinal and skin diseases have been reported, so have livestock losses. District authorities indicate people who were displaced by flash floods are returning to their homes.In Dera Ghazi Khan, Jakhar Imam and Fateh Khan union councils 8,000 people were affected due to flooding in the Indus River. District authorities are distributing dry rations, bottled water and tents in the affected areas. Authorities have also established health camps. The water in the inundated city of Sialkot has receded.

Sindh

In Sindh, light showers were reported in various locations during the last 24 hours. Guddu Barrage is reported to be in medium flood and Sukkur Barrage in low flood, both with rising water levels. The emergency situation caused by the devastating impact of the monsoon rain spell of early August has normalized.

Flash Update #4 is expected to be issued in the following days.