Torrential rains pound upper areas causing landslides, flooding

The wet spell is continued almost all across the country whereas upper areas have been pounded with torrential rains triggering landslides and causing floods, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday. 

Heavy rain is lashing Islamabad and hilly areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. 

The plain areas of Punjab including Lahore are also hit by showers. Drizzling is continued in Pasrur, Lodhran,and Jehanian. 

Heavy rain is pouring in many areas of Balochistan which has caused floods in nullahs and streams.

Kohlu which was hit by the worst rains and its link bridge was swept away on Saturday, has been cut off from the rest of the province.

The low-lying areas in Kohlu, Musa Khel, Sherani, Dera Bugti, Harnai, and Zhob have been inundated. 

The Sunari National Highway and temporarily restored Sunari bridge were swept away by flashfloods. 

Many hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Shangla are receiving heavy rain and snow shower. 

According to weather report, due to ongoing pre-monsoon season, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in Punjab, KPK, Kashmir and GB including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan and Peshawar.

The National Disaster Management Authority on Monday issued an alert regarding torrential rains in Punjab, KP and Balochistan till Wednesday. 

According to the NDMA spokesman as a consequence of rainstorms, landslide is expected in the mountainous areas of KP, GB, AJK and Galiyat while floods in most of the rivers, nullahs and inundation of low-lying areas in the country’s plains.    

The Authority urged all concerned federal, provincial ministries and the departments under their control to remain on their toes and take precautionary measures in order to prevent any loss to human lives and properties as a result of deluge forecast by the meteorological department.

The departments were asked to keep all machinery, including dewatering pumps, ready to drain out rainwater from low-lying areas of the country.  

Apart from that, the departments were also asked to advise residents of the areas most prone to floods to limit their movements and avoid travelling unnecessarily.

On Sunday, Skardu Deputy Commissioner tweeted: “Heavy rains continue in Deosai plains. Tourists are advised not to travel during rains from Skardu to Astore and vice versa. Night travel via Deosai is prohibited for tonight. JSR already blocked due to land sliding. Public safety is priority of GB Government.”

Heavy rains continue in Deosai plains. Tourists are advised not to travel during rains from Skardu to Astore and vice versa. Night travel via Deosai is prohibited for tonight. JSR already blocked due to land sliding. Public safety is priority of GB Government. pic.twitter.com/Nvzu9gOGfW

— Deputy Commissioner Skardu (@DCSkardu) June 20, 2022

Juglote- Skardu Road is blocked at multiple points including Chamachu, Maloppa, Tormik etc due to landsliding caused by torrential rains. FWO is working on clearance of JSR. Passengers/ Tourists are requested to avoid travelling today. Night travelling not recommend either. pic.twitter.com/rabn9zp76p

— Deputy Commissioner Skardu (@DCSkardu) June 20, 2022

One killed, 3 injured in roof collapse incidents in Dera Bugti, Renala Khurd 

Meanwhile, a man was killed when the wall of a place in village 6-1 AL in Renala Khurd was collapsed due to heavy rain. 

The deceased man was identified as Rashid Ahmad. 

The Rescue officials retrieved the body of the man from under the debris and handed it over to its heir. 

In another incident in Pirkoh, Dera Bugti, the roof of a house caved in following a heavy downpour injuring three persons including a child. 

The local residents rushed to the spot and took out house inmates buried under the fallen debris.

Due to torrential rains, the streams and nullahs are in flood in Sui and Pirkoh in Dera Bugti. The low-lying areas are presenting a picture of enormous pool. 

Reporters Arif Bugti and Rana Amjad Farooq