LAHORE/LOWER SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday directed all federal, provincial and local authorities to intensify coordinated preparedness, rescue and relief measures in view of the ongoing monsoon rains as the death toll from rain-related incidents rose to 43 in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to a press release issued by the President’s Secretariat, the president directed authorities to “intensify coordinated preparedness, rescue and relief measures as the country enters a critical phase of the monsoon season, with increasing rains raising the risk of flash floods, cloud bursts, glacial lake outburst floods, landslides, river flooding and urban flooding in vulnerable areas”.

He also “expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives and damage to homes, infrastructure and property caused by the recent rains and related incidents”.

The president directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), and provincial and local authorities “to maintain close coordination and ensure timely dissemination of early warnings”.

He also called for “continuous monitoring of rainfall, river flows and water levels in upper catchment regions, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir”, and directed downstream areas to make preparations for possible flooding.

According to the statement, the president directed the authorities “to pre-position rescue and relief resources, ensure the protection of vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure and take necessary measures to protect tourists and visitors in areas at risk from flash floods, Glofs and landslides”.

The statement added that the president emphasised that all relevant institutions “must remain vigilant and ensure an immediate response wherever lives or property are at risk”.

He urged the public “to follow official advisories and avoid unnecessary travel to areas facing warnings of heavy rain, flash floods, landslides or other weather-related hazards”.

The statement said President Zardari also appreciated the efforts of rescue workers and emergency personnel engaged in relief operations and prayed for the safety of people across the country.

Punjab

At least 21 people have died while 154 others have been injured in rain-related incidents across Punjab during the ongoing monsoon season, its PDMA said on Thursday.

In a statement, the authority said 15 people were killed in building collapses, two due to being struck by lightning, three due to electrocution and one person drowned. It added that 38 houses sustained partial damage.

PDMA Director General Umar Abbas Mela directed district administrations to remain on high alert during the second spell of monsoon rains, warning of the risk of urban and flash flooding.

He said deputy commissioners had been instructed to strictly enforce Section 144 around rivers and streams and urged citizens to avoid staying in dilapidated or structurally weak buildings. The DG said most fatalities had occurred due to the collapse of weak roofs and unsafe buildings.

He also advised parents to keep children away from electric wires, utility poles and low-lying areas, stressing that loss of life and property could be minimised by adopting precautionary measures.

According to the PDMA, Lahore received 343 millimetres of rain over the past 48 hours, while water was cleared in record time from major roads, intersections and underpasses.

KP

In KP, its PDMA said that 22 people had died and 23 others had been injured in rain-related incidents since July 19. According to the authority, the fatalities occurred due to heavy rains and flash floods that triggered the collapse of roofs and walls of houses and swept people away in floodwaters.

The deceased included nine men, 10 children and three women, while the injured comprised 11 men, five women and seven children.

The PDMA said 37 houses were damaged during this period, including 29 that sustained partial damage and eight that were completely destroyed.

The affected districts included Peshawar, Nowshera, Khyber, Mardan, Buner, Bajaur, Shangla, Swabi, Bar Swat, Lower Chitral, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Tank, Torghar, Kurram, North Waziristan and Upper South Waziristan.

It said district administrations had been directed to immediately provide relief supplies and expedite assistance to affected families.

The PDMA said water levels and flows in rivers and streams across the province were currently normal, but warned that intermittent heavy rainfall was likely to continue until July 23. It added that district administrations had already been directed to remain on alert.

The authority urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel, refrain from visiting vulnerable tourist spots and follow weather advisories issued by government departments.

Torrential monsoon rains continued to batter Lower South Waziristan for a second consecutive night, while flash floods damaged agricultural land in several parts of the district.

The strategically important Wana-Gomal Zam Road remained closed to heavy traffic for a second day after landslides triggered by heavy rainfall deposited mud, rocks and large boulders on the carriageway at multiple locations.

The district Communication and Works (C&W) Department’s Executive Engineer (XEN) Ikram Wazir said a clearance operation was continuing with excavators and tractors, but persistent rainfall had slowed efforts to remove debris and restore traffic.

“If there is no further rainfall, we expect to reopen the Wana-Gomal Zam Road to both light and heavy traffic by Friday,” he said.

The road closure has also stranded dozens of trucks loaded with fruits and vegetables at the Tanai check post, where damaged sections of the road have left heavy vehicles unable to use it. Traders said the prolonged suspension of traffic was causing financial losses as perishable goods remained stuck on the route.

The key route is said to have been in disrepair since February, with residents describing it as virtually unusable last month, before the monsoon season even arrived.

Following the landslides, elders of the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe reiterated their call on the KP and federal governments to order the reconstruction of the Wana-Gomal Zam Road in accordance with modern engineering standards.

Meanwhile, the district administration said water levels in the Tanai and Spin streams rose to dangerous levels following the downpour. Residents said the floodwaters also damaged agricultural land in several villages, washing away fertile topsoil and affecting standing crops.