In Peshawar, Pakistan, a week of relentless monsoon rains and flash floods has led to the tragic deaths of at least 46 individuals while leaving numerous others injured, as reported by local officials on Monday.
The deluge of heavy rain, which began last Tuesday, has resulted in the loss of lives across various regions: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has recorded 22 fatalities, eastern Punjab province 13, southern Sindh 7, and southwestern Balochistan 4, according to data from the National Disaster Management Authority and provincial emergency teams.
“We anticipate heavier than usual rains this monsoon season, and warnings have been communicated to relevant authorities to implement safety measures,” stated Irfan Virk, a deputy director at the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
He also mentioned that there remains a possibility of experiencing severe weather similar to the catastrophic floods of 2022, which submerged a third of the nation, resulting in the deaths of 1,737 people and widespread devastation.
Among this week’s fatalities are 13 tourists from a single family of 17 who were tragically swept away by floodwaters on Friday. The remaining four members of the family were successfully rescued from the swollen Swat River in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Rescue teams have recovered 12 bodies from the group, and on Monday, divers continued their search for the final missing family member, as reported by Bilal Faizi, a spokesman for the provincial emergency services.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many expressing frustration over what they perceived to be a sluggish response from emergency services.
On Sunday, the National Disaster Management Authority had already issued warnings about possible dangers, advising the public to avoid crossing rivers and streams due to the potential risk.