The torrential downpours accompanying monsoon rains have caused massive destruction across Pakistan. Many houses and hospitals have been wiped out, leaving the residents in a state of helplessness.
Sindh: Record-Breaking Rainfall and Flooding MonsoonÂ
Sukkur experienced 290 millimeters of rainfall, breaking a 77-year-old record for rain, which resulted in heavy flooding. This ended in the submerging of residences and infrastructure after water levels rose by several feet in low-lying areas. Larkana, Qazi Ahmed, Naushahro Feroze, and Kandiaro also had excessive amounts of rain while in Jacobabad the whole area was drowned by heavy rains that covered even the lowlands.
Karachi was not spared as various localities got submerged by water causing major disruptions. The downpour did not stop at Qamber Shahdadkot while mud houses collapsed due to the rain at Ghotki’s Obaro Tehsil. The situation worsened yesterday when a dam embankment broke leading to further flooding in Kot Diji.
Kot Bangalow witnessed extensive flooding as fast-flowing water washed away the connecting road thereby isolating communities. Sanghar faced a flood emergency making it difficult for residents to survive whereas the Indus River passed medium-level floods through Dadu cutting off several villages from the main town.
Gilgit-Baltistan: Severe Flooding and Landslides MonsoonÂ
Hunza Gojal Astore Ghizer is worst hit by floods caused by monsoon rains. In Pakora Kishnot village alone more than 20 houses including a bank were destroyed completely. Hunza saw a surge in water levels resulting in flood-like conditions inside rivers and streams running through it. Road blockages due to landslides between Hunza and Nagar led hundreds of tourists into serious trouble.
Balochistan: Flash Floods and Destruction
Balochistan has also suffered most because of flash floods due to heavy rains which caused the rivers and streams in the area to flood. In Qila Abdullah, Pishin, and Ziarat, floods damaged crops extensively while strong winds and torrential rain in Chaman destroyed mud houses and swept away solar panels.
Two days of nonstop rain have submerged low-lying areas in Kohlu leading to the collapse of mud houses. In addition, for three days now the Kohlu-Sibi road has been under water due to floods and landslides. Nushki’s national highway N-40 is impassable after being closed by the rain; similarly, the Bolan national highway is stuck with water trapping many vehicles. The Awaraan-Jhao road has been blocked by floods while floods washed away the railway track at Kashingi.
Punjab: Rising Water Levels and Threats of Flooding
The monsoon rains continue falling over Punjab causing streams in the Koh-e-Suleman mountains to overflow. A slight flood was reported at Kot Mithan whereas Chenab River at Jhang is swelling. Trimmu is going to be hit by a surge of 150k cusecs threatening nearby.
A canal breach measuring 30 feet has affected several homes in Rangpur Tehsil of Muzaffargarh; likewise, a 20-foot breach into Uch Canal has submerged crops surrounding it, collapsing houses as water from floods run through residential areas in Ahmedpur Sharqia.
Meanwhile, Dera Ismail Khan’s Indus River level keeps on rising sweeping off hospitals’ buildings and schools within the Kacha region. On the other hand in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province there are swollen rivers due to monsoon rains. Flash floods following this heavy downpour have wreaked havoc throughout South Waziristan.
