Extreme weather across Pakistan kills 70, injures 29
The death toll from snowfall and rain-related incidents in Pakistan increased to 70 while the number of injured is estimated to be 29, said an official statement the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday.
The authority had also expected an increase in the death toll.
The rains in Balochistan have claimed 15 lives and injured 11 others according to the authority. Additionally, there have been reports of at least 55 deaths and 12 injuries in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
19 people have died in an avalanche in Neelam valley while 10 are still missing. Four injured were saved while work is currently in progress to rescue the remaining people, according to NDMA.
Read More: 57 dead in Neelum valley avalanche
Major roads in Balochistan, including Bolan Road, Khanozai Road and Quetta-Chaman Road, have been closed for now, the statement mentioned, adding that the highest snowfall reported in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was on Lowari Approach Road at 23 inches.
On Monday, avalanches, landslides and other rain-related incidents claimed at least 21 lives and left many others injured as most parts of the country remained in the grip of a powerful western weather system that entered arrived Saturday morning in Balochistan early.
Eleven of the approximate two dozen deaths from Kashmir, seven from Punjab and three from Balochistan were reported. Meanwhile, on Sunday, Punjab had reported 14 deaths by rain-related incidents.
Secretary for relief, disaster and civil defense Syed Shahid Mohyiddin Qadri told media that heavy snowfall and rains had blocked many high-altitude areas.
“Neelum Valley Road, Leepa Valley Road, Chikar-Bagh Road, Bagh-Lasdana Road, Mehmood Galli-Abbaspur Road and Tain Dhalkot Road were all closed for traffic,” he said.
The official advised people, particularly visitors, during the prevailing weather conditions to refrain from unnecessary travel in snowbound and landslide-prone areas.
