President directs authorities to step up monsoon preparedness as rain-related deaths in Punjab, KP reach 43

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 Pakjtunkhwa.

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 advance 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 concerned 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

The Punjab PDMA said on Thursday that at least 21 people had died while 154 others had been injured in rain-related incidents across the province during the ongoing monsoon season.

In a statement, the authority said 15 people were killed in building collapses, two due to being struck by lightening, 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, the PDMA said that 22 people had died and 23 others had been injured in rain-related incidents July 9. 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, Lower Chitral, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Tank, Torghar, Kurram, North Waziristan and 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.