PESHAWAR/LAHORE: At least nine people lost their lives and 28 others were injured in rain-related incidents across Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa over the past 48 hours, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and Rescue 1122 on Thursday.
The PDMA said seven people were killed and 19 others were injured in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa after heavy rain, strong winds and flash floods caused roofs and walls of houses to collapse.
“The dead included two men, four children and one woman, while the injured comprised seven men, one woman and 11 children,” it added.
Officials said 38 houses were affected, including 36 that were partially damaged and two that were destroyed. The incidents were reported in Khyber, Lower Dir, Mardan, Shangla, Bajaur, Lower Chitral and Upper Dir.
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The authority said it is working closely with Rescue 1122, district administrations and other relevant departments as relief operations continue in the affected areas. District administrations have been directed to provide relief supplies to affected families, speed up rescue and relief efforts, and ensure immediate assistance for victims.
The PDMA director general urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from vulnerable tourist locations and follow official weather alerts and advisories.
The authority also said its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) remains fully operational and advised the public to report emergencies and seek weather updates through its toll-free helpline, 1700.
Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 spokesperson Farooq Ahmad said that heavy rain and strong winds in Punjab over the past 24 hours claimed two lives and left nine people injured in separate incidents.
According to Ahmad, two people were killed and three others were injured after a wall collapsed near Naya Pump in Attock during the storm. In a separate incident in Attock’s Para Shaheen Bagh area, three people were injured when a roof caved in.
“One person was injured after being struck by lightning in Qaidabad, Khushab, while another was injured when a signboard fell during strong winds in Sargodha. In Sheikhupura, one person was injured after a wooden roof collapsed on Chak Rasala Road,” the spokesperson said.
Ahmad added that all the injured were given first aid at the scene before being shifted to nearby hospitals. Rescue 1122 also urged the public to contact its helpline immediately in case of an emergency.