25 killed in rain-related accidents in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD－Twenty-five people were killed in separate rain-related accidents in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, said the director-general of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, or PDMA, on Tuesday.

Torrential rains started lashing various districts of the province on Monday and the downpour has continued, resulting in a number of accidents. The provincial capital Quetta declared an area as calamity-hit after eight people including children died in the rain-triggered accidents.

Director-General Naseer Ahmad Nasar said over 200 houses were damaged and about 2,000 animals perished in the heavy rains.

He said the heavy downpour also caused flash flooding in large water drainages and inundated several low-lying areas.

He added that over 40 people were injured in the rains and the critically wounded people were being treated in various hospitals in the province.

According to local media reports, several people, including five coal mine laborers, a shepherd with his cattle, and two children, were swept away by flash floods in the province.

The rescue and relief operation is underway in the province, with the district administration distributing food items and other necessities to rain-affected families.

Monsoon rains are expected to continue till Thursday in various districts of the province, according to the PDMA.

Xinhua