Heavy monsoon rains cause at least 150 deaths in Pakistan

Troops and navy called in to help residents of Karachi cope with heavy flooding

Monsoon rains over the past month have killed at least 150 people as downpours continue to lash Pakistan, triggering flash floods in some parts of the country, government officials said on Monday.

The National Disaster Management Authority said 91 women and children were among the dead so far. The monsoon rains have also damaged homes, roads, five bridges and power stations across the country.

At least 163 people had also been injured in rain-related incidents since June 14, it said in a statement. Heavy rains and flash floods fully or partially damaged more than 1,000 houses across the country.

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  A commuter makes his way through a flooded street after heavy rain in Karachi, Pakistan, where the death toll from rain-related incidents has risen to at least 150 over the past month. AFP

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  Motorists make their way through a flooded street after heavy rain. AFP

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  Children play in a waterlogged street. AFP

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  People make their way through a flooded street in Karachi. AFP

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  Commuters wade through a flooded street after heavy rain. The monsoon rains continue to lash Pakistan, triggering flash floods in some parts of the country. AFP

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  Commuters wade through a flooded street. AFP

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  People carry their belongings through a flooded street. AFP

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  People wade through a flooded street after a rainstorm. AFP

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  Residents make their way through a flooded street in Karachi. Reuters

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  A fruit seller navigates a flooded road after heavy rainfall in Karachi. AP

The situation was particularly dire in the southern city of Karachi, the country’s largest, where entire neighbourhoods remained submerged on Monday. Commuters were left stranded or attempting to wade through knee-deep water on foot or on bicycles. Some residents arranged for boats to move them to safer places.

“At the moment, the situation is like this that we need to travel by boat rather than in vehicles as the roads are flooded,” said one resident, Abdul Raheem.

Other residents of the port city said they were forced to abandon their cars on submerged roads and walk through waist-high water. Authorities summoned paramilitary troops and the navy to help with efforts to drain the waters from flooded streets and rescue people.

The rains are said to be almost twice as heavy as the average downpour at this time of the year. They started in mid-June, initially causing havoc in south-western Balochistan province, where 65 people have lost their lives so far.

In Sindh province, where Karachi is the capital, the disaster agency said at least 26 had died. Heavy rain has also struck Islamabad and eastern Punjab province, killing at least 23 since last month.

Authorities are delivering tents, food and other essential items to hundreds of rain-affected people in the north and south-west.

Experts say climate change is the cause for the heavier than average downpour in Pakistan.

Every year, many cities in Pakistan struggle with the annual monsoon deluge, drawing criticism about poor government planning. The season runs from July through September and bring rains that are essential for irrigating crops, replenishing dams and other water reservoirs in Pakistan. Parts of southern Pakistan have faced drought earlier this year.