Several killed as flash floods sweep away dozens of people in Pakistan

Nine radical from 1 extended household were killed astatine the Swat River, portion others died successful rain-related incidents elsewhere.

Flash floods person killed astatine slightest 9 radical successful bluish Pakistan aft pre-monsoon rains swept distant dozens of individuals.

District head Shehzad Mahboob said connected Friday that the 9 radical who were killed were from 1 extended household of 16 who were visiting the country and having a picnic meal by the Swat River, successful Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Mahboob explained that children from the household were successful the h2o taking photos erstwhile the flood occurred, relatives rushed successful to prevention them, but were trapped successful the deluge, which was exacerbated by the monsoon rains.

Nine bodies had been recovered, with 4 members of the household inactive missing, portion different 4 were rescued, Mahboob said.

Earlier connected Friday, Shah Fahad, a spokesperson for the provincial exigency service, said astir 100 rescuers successful assorted groups rescued 58 radical and were looking for the tourists who had been swept away.

Fahad called connected the nationalist to strictly adhere to earlier authorities warnings astir a imaginable flash flood successful the Swat River, a fashionable destination for tourists successful the summertime and winter.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif “expressed his grief implicit the tourists’ deaths”, a connection from his bureau said.

Sharif added that helium had called connected authorities to fortify information measures adjacent rivers and streams.

Meanwhile, according to rescue officials, astatine slightest 10 radical were killed successful rain-related incidents successful eastbound Punjab and confederate Sindh provinces implicit the past 24 hours.

Since the opening of the week, dense rains person battered parts of Pakistan, including blocking highways and damaging homes.

According to upwind forecasters, rains are expected to proceed this week arsenic the country’s yearly monsoon season, which runs from July done September, begins.

However, upwind forecasters are predicting little rainfall to autumn successful Pakistan during the monsoon play this twelvemonth compared with 2022, erstwhile the aggravated rainfall flooded rivers, sidesplitting 1,739 people.