The recent floods triggered by monsoon rains have resulted in at least 46 deaths, 39 injuries and destruction of 182 houses, said the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) here on Wednesday.
According to the NDMA preliminary damages/losses details issued here, at least 27 people have been confirmed dead in Azad Kashmir's Lesva area in district Neelum Valley, scores of people got injured and 150 houses were damaged as a result of cloudburst so far.
The NDMA said that the rain-related incidents have resulted in the killing of 10 people in Punjab and nine people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), while 25 people got injured in Punjab and seven in Azad Kashmir.
The NDMA in collaboration with the local authorities established National Emergency Operations Centre for effective monitoring and coordination of ongoing relief operation for the victims of Neelum Valley and other parts of the country.
The operation centre will immediately respond to the rains-affected people across the AJK and will coordinate among the flood-affected people and concerned officials in order to provide relief to them instantly. The rescue and relief operation by the NDMA in the flood-affected areas is under way in full swing.
The federal government is well aware of the problems of rain-hit victims of Neelum Valley and would continue efforts till their complete rehabilitation and resettlement, the NDMA said.
The NDMA has dispatched almost 800 family tents, medicines, food packets and other essential items to the areas which were severely hit by rains. The NDMA distributed 17.5 tonnes of food items among the flood victims. On the request of NDMA, Pakistan Army is also present in the calamity-hit areas to help rescue the people.
In view of ongoing monsoon season and considering the weather forecast by Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD), relevant stakeholders are advised to remain alert and ensure timely clearance of sewerage/drainage system in all major cities including Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Lahore, Multan and Peshawar by all stakeholders; issuing alert to people residing in/close to river plains/water courses; raising awareness to public with regards to vacating dangerous buildings, remaining away from electric wires and avoiding swimming during rain especially in underpasses; advising vulnerable population not to venture nullahs crossing/ likely flash flooding routes; National Highway Authority (NHA), Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) and C&W department of respective provinces / regions may remain ready for restoring road linkages; and NIH and National Health Emergency Preparedness & Response Network (NHEPRN) to advise all provincial health departments about pre-placement of necessary staff and medicines where required.