After experiencing torrential rains, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are being pummeled by floods as the gushing floodwaters are leaving a trail of destruction behind them. The 1,982-foot deep Khanpur Dam in KP which has become full to its capacity and could not take any more water, is expected to receive more inflow during the day. The administration opened its spillways to let the peak pass without causing damage to the dam and the adjoining areas. Besides this, the Tarnawah Bridge was also closed for traffic from both sides. The city assistant commissioner has directed the motorists not to use motorway from 9am till 12 noon for travelling to Khanpur Taxila. Nullah Baro will also experience a low level flood today. In Qambar Shahdadkot, the flood situation has worsened. In Garr Wah drain in Warh, breaches measuring 100 to 150 feet long were occurred at several places.

In Gaji Kharo city near Warh, a dyke was broken near Achii Mosque and the flood water entered the houses. The inundated city was cut off from other cities. The city administration could not be seen anywhere and people were stranded over there waiting for help. A peak of water coming from Balochistan is heading to Sarh Hamal Lake from Zero Point at Qambar Shahdadkot. On the other hand, the water level goes another 2 feet up in Khairpur Nathan Shah. The whole area presents a picture of a large river. The rural health centre of Babo Saeed Khan was also submerged in flood water. People have got stuck in many villages. Many areas in Tehsil Dorr were deluged.

Flood-hit people are compelled to migrate to safer places. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Friday stated that 57 died in the last 24 hours due to floods across the country. According to the NDMA, 38 deaths were reported in Sindh, 17 in KP, and one each in Balochistan and Kashmir while a total of 7,683 people were injured in the last 24 hours in flood-related incidents across the country. As many as 22 men, 18 women, and 17 children died within 24 hours. Since June 14, a total of 1,265 deaths were reported, the authority said, adding that 470 people died in Sindh, 257 in Balochistan, 285 in KP, and 188 in Punjab.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, the total number of deaths was 22, while in Kashmir, 42 deaths were recorded. A total of 12,577 people sustained injured so far across the country. In Sindh, the number of injured reached 8,314, while in Punjab 3,737 and in Balochistan the number of injured persons was 164. The report stated that 736,242 houses were partially destroyed due to floods while 436,307 were destroyed completely due to recent rains and floods. It said 2,328 kilometers of roads were damaged in Sindh, 1,000 kilometers in Balochistan, and 1589 kilometers in KP. A total of 243 bridges across the country were damaged, the authority maintained. The report said 500 kilometers of roads were damaged in Balochistan, adding that 5563 km of roads across the country were affected by the recent rains and floods.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP