At least 50 people, including eight children, were killed by floods and landslides that are triggered by monsoon rains in Pakistan since last month, officials announced on Friday.
Officials revealed that most deaths were in eastern Punjab province, mainly due to electrocutions and building collapses. The incident took place in the remote Shangla district in northern Pakistan.
“Fifty deaths have been reported in different rain-related incidents all over Pakistan since the start of the monsoon on 25 June,” a national disaster management official said, adding that 87 people were injured during this period.
The Meteorological Department predicted more heavy rainfall nationwide in the days ahead and warned of potential flooding in the catchment areas of Punjab’s biggest rivers.
District emergency unit officer Sanaullah Khan highlighted that over a dozen children had set up a cricket pitch close to sand rock when it collapsed and buried them.
Hours later, local rescue teams joined by the Pakistan army pulled out eight bodies.
