Lahore: As many as 40 people lost their lives in heavy rains in Punjab while a state of emergency has been declared in several districts o the province as heavy rains triggered flooding, the spokesperson Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) said on Thursday.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a warning of torrential rains with wind-thundershowers that will last throughout the country till July 17.
Director General Punjab WASA Tayyab Farid said that “rivers have overflowed due to heavy rains in Rawalpindi, Chakwal and surrounding areas,” leading to a flood situation.
According to the Rescue Punjab spokesperson Farooq Ahmed, heavy rains have left 40 dead across the province in the past 24 hours, while another 176 people have been injured.
13 people have died in Lahore, eight in Faisalabad, four in Pakpattan, three in Sheikhupura and Okara and one person each in Nankana Sahib and Sahiwal,” said the Rescue Punjab spokesperson.
Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from power lines and open manholes, said DG WASA.
Rescue teams are on alert in the field to deal with the emergency, he added.
PMD has issued a flood alert for the Gawalmandi and Kattarian bridges in Rawalpindi as the water level in the Leh Nullah continues to rise.
“Residents of low-lying areas near Leh Nullah must cooperate with the administration if evacuation becomes necessary,” said DG PDMA.
Strict action to be taken against those gathering or bathing near Leh Nullah, cautioned the PDMA spokesperson.
A local holiday has been announced in Rawalpindi in light of the emergency, he said.
Meanwhile, in Jhelum, rescue operations were underway to evacuate citizens trapped in floodwaters in Dhok Badar village of the district.
“Over 40 people have been rescued so far”, said DG PDMA, adding that rescue operations will continue until all citizens are safely evacuated.
“Pakistan army personnel and rescue teams are currently rushing the citizens to safe locations,” he added.
