Deadly Floods in Pakistan claim over 20 lives due to recent monsoon downpours
Heavy Monsoon Rains Cause Chaos and Destruction in Pakistan
Pakistan is currently grappling with the impacts of heavy monsoon rains, with several regions experiencing flooding, landslides, and power cuts. According to reports from an AFP photographer, the water had receded in Karachi by this morning. However, authorities have warned that the rains will continue until mid-September, posing a significant challenge for the country.
Schools in Karachi, a city with a population of over 20 million, have been closed due to the predicted rain until Saturday. The city's crumbling pipes and sewer system are struggling to cope with the downpours, causing rush-hour drivers to be caught in rising waters and multiple neighborhoods to experience power cuts.
In an effort to manage the situation, excavators have been used to remove debris clogging drainage channels. Relief camps have also been established, providing medical assistance, dry rations, and tents to affected individuals. The NDMA chairman, Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik, has announced that more rain is expected until the end of the month.
Amir Hyder Laghari, the chief meteorologist of the Sindh province, has blamed weak infrastructure for the flooding in big cities. Between 40 and 50 houses have been damaged in two districts, and communication networks and phone lines have been interrupted in flooded areas.
The floods have resulted in numerous casualties. This year, nearly 750 people have died since the monsoon season started. Eleven people died in Gilgit-Baltistan, and ten in Karachi due to urban flooding. In the Buner district, over 220 people were killed, and more than 350 people have died in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since last Thursday.
The situation has left many children scared. A medical camp official in Buner reported that children in the district are scared due to fear. Meanwhile, authorities and the army are searching for dozens of missing people in villages hit by landslides and heavy rain.
Pakistan is among the world's most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change and is increasingly facing extreme weather events. The country's infrastructure, particularly in urban areas, is struggling to cope with the impacts of these events, leading to widespread destruction and loss of life.
As the monsoon season continues, authorities are urging citizens to stay safe and follow instructions from local authorities. The situation remains fluid, and updates on the extent of the damage and the number of casualties are expected to continue in the coming days.
