98 dead, 89 injured in Pakistan amid rainstorms and floods
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Rains are expected to resume until April 22, then re-emerge on April 25 through 29.
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People stand over the wall of their damaged house caused by flooding due to heavy rains in the area near Chaman, Pakistan, Thursday, April 18, 2024. (AP)
Almost 100 people were killed, while dozens of others have been injured after heavy rains and floods hit the northwestern and southwestern regions of Pakistan.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that heavy downpours flooded Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan, and Punjab, as well as Jammu and Kashmir, killing 98 people and injuring 89 others in structural collapses induced by the natural phenomena.
Reports estimated that around 3,261 houses were damaged, including 536 fully destroyed ones. Roads and bridges were also seriously damaged in KP and Balochistan due to flash floods. The NDMA also warned both of these areas of additional flooding as rains are expected to extend until April 22.
Moreover, authorities also forecasted heavy rains starting April 25 through 29, and warned citizens against staying in or near weak infrastructure, and avoid walking or driving on waterways.
Pakistan Army at service for #Balochistan.
— Chamrok (چمروک) (@BalochChamrok1) April 20, 2024
Pakistan Army continued relief operations in Kalanj Valley,#Gwadar, distributing aid and repairing roads. Teams reached villages like Jamia Zai and Moradi, providing essential supplies and ensuring safety. #Quetta #Flood pic.twitter.com/jqNgjbk0vE
In Afghanistan, the Ministry of Disaster Management said heavy rains and floods killed at least 70 people and injured 56 others. 2,627 houses were reportedly partially damaged, while 600 livestock died as a result.
The local Bakhtar News Agency reported that rains would continue until Sunday, April 21.
Dubai underwater: Rain floods UAE, kills 70-year-old man
Similarly, the United Arab Emirates witnessed on Tuesday the harshest thunderstorm in its records, as Dubai's airport and highways were completely flooded, blocking auto and civilian mobility.
The storm hit the country on Monday night, accumulating around 0.79 inches of rain. The weather intensified soon after, flooding the "already overwhelmed" cities with 5.59 inches of rain, the first phenomenon of its kind since Dubai began documenting its weather fluctuations.
In Fujairah, an emirate on the eastern coast, 5.7 inches of rainfall flooded the roads, a record for the country.
The UAE's record before Tuesday stood at 3.73 inches of rain, prompting the state to declare Tuesday's weather situation a "historic event".
AP reported that no governmental toll information has been provided thus far, but reports stated that families were forced to sleep in their cars. However, a few were swept away, killing a 70-year-old man who had spent the night in his car.
