Pakistan's monsoon death toll reaches near 400

A total of 46 people have been killed in monsoon rains during the last 24 hours, raising the death toll of rain-related deaths to 393 in Pakistan since Thursday, the country's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Tuesday.

In total, 706 Pakistanis have died since the onset of the monsoon season on June 26, the authority said in its latest situation report.

The NDMA said that the majority of the fatalities occurred due to house and roof collapses following heavy downpours, while others were caused by flash floods, landslides, electrocution, and lightning strikes.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained worst-hit in the monsoon with 427 fatalities.

The authority said monsoon rains have also caused extensive damage to infrastructure and private property nationwide. Since June 26, more than 2,934 houses have been damaged, and 1,108 livestock have perished. About 451 km of roads and 152 bridges have also been affected, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir bearing the brunt of the destruction.

Authorities have warned of further rains in the coming days and urged residents in vulnerable areas to take precautionary measures.

xinhua