Three days of heavy monsoon rains triggering flash floods killed at least 50 people in various parts of Pakistan, as troops with boats rushed to a flood-affected district in the country's southern Sindh province Sunday to evacuate people to safer places.
Every year, many cities in Pakistan struggle to cope with the annual monsoon deluge, drawing criticism about poor planning. The monsoon season runs from July through September, during which swelling rivers cause damage to crops and infrastructure.
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Three days of heavy monsoon rains triggering flash floods killed at least 50 people in various parts of Pakistan, as troops with boats rushed to a flood-affected district in the country's southern Sindh province Sunday to evacuate people to safer places.
Rains also partially damaged about 100 homes and caused a breach in a flooded main canal, inundating villages in Sindh province. In a statement, the military said troops used boats to rescue stranded people and move them to safety. It said a medical camp was also established and food was being provided to the rescued people.
According to the Meteorological Department, heavy rains are expected to continue next week.
Pakistani rescue workers evacuate villagers from flooded areas of Dadu, a district in Pakistan's southern Sindh province, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020. Pakistan's disaster management agency said three days of heavy monsoon rains that triggered flash floods have killed dozens of people in various parts of the country. (AP PhotoPervez Masih)
Pakistani rescue workers evacuate villagers from flooded areas of Dadu, a district in Pakistan's southern Sindh province, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020. Pakistan's disaster management agency said three days of heavy monsoon rains that triggered flash floods have killed dozens of people in various parts of the country. (AP PhotoPervez Masih)
Pakistani army soldiers evacuate villagers from a flooded areas of Dadu, a district in Pakistan's southern Sindh province, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020. Three days of heavy monsoon rains triggering flash floods killed at least dozens people in various parts of Pakistan, as troops with boats rushed to a flood-affected district in the country's southern Sindh province Sunday to evacuate people to safer places. (AP PhotoPervez Masih)
According to Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, 19 people were killed in rain-related incidents in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, 12 in southern Sindh province, 8 in Punjab province and 10 in the country's scenic northern Gligit Baltistan region in the past three days.
Villagers wade through a flooded area of Dadu, a district in Pakistan's southern Sindh province, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020. Pakistan's disaster management agency said three days of heavy monsoon rains that triggered flash floods have killed dozens of people in various parts of the country. (AP PhotoPervez Masih)
Rains also partially damaged about 100 homes and caused a breach in a flooded main canal, inundating villages in Sindh province. In a statement, the military said troops used boats to rescue stranded people and move them to safety. It said a medical camp was also established and food was being provided to the rescued people.
Heavy rains also lashed many districts in southwestern Baluchistan province, damaging homes. According to local media reports, at least eight people were killed in Baluchistan because of rains and flash flooding.
Heavy rainfall began last week and continued Sunday, flooding streets even in the eastern city of Lahore. It especially disrupted normal life last week in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh province and Pakistan's commercial hub, where sewage flooded most of the streets, prompting Prime Minister Imran Khan to order the army to assist authorities in handling the situation.
A motorcyclist drives through a street flooded by heavy rainfall in Karachi, Pakistan, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020. Three days of heavy monsoon rains triggering flash floods killed at least dozens people in various parts of Pakistan, as troops with boats rushed to a flood-affected district in the country's southern Sindh province Sunday to evacuate people to safer places. (AP PhotoFareed Khan)
According to the Meteorological Department, heavy rains are expected to continue next week.
In Pakistan and neighboring India, deadly floods occur regularly during the monsoon season.
Pakistani army soldiers evacuate villagers from a flooded areas of Dadu, a district in Pakistan's southern Sindh province, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020. Three days of heavy monsoon rains triggering flash floods killed at least dozens people in various parts of Pakistan, as troops with boats rushed to a flood-affected district in the country's southern Sindh province Sunday to evacuate people to safer places. (AP PhotoPervez Masih)
Pakistani rescue workers evacuate villagers from flooded areas of Dadu, a district in Pakistan's southern Sindh province, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020. Pakistan's disaster management agency said three days of heavy monsoon rains that triggered flash floods have killed dozens of people in various parts of the country. (AP PhotoPervez Masih)
Pakistani rescue workers evacuate villagers from flooded areas of Dadu, a district in Pakistan's southern Sindh province, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020. Pakistan's disaster management agency said three days of heavy monsoon rains that triggered flash floods have killed dozens of people in various parts of the country. (AP PhotoPervez Masih)
Pakistani army soldiers evacuate villagers from a flooded areas of Dadu, a district in Pakistan's southern Sindh province, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020. Three days of heavy monsoon rains triggering flash floods killed at least dozens people in various parts of Pakistan, as troops with boats rushed to a flood-affected district in the country's southern Sindh province Sunday to evacuate people to safer places. (AP PhotoPervez Masih)