Nature takes its toll on Pakistan; Rainstorm kills 44, injures 200

By NewsGram Staff Writer

Forty four deaths and injuries to more than 200 people due to heavy rain and storm have been reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan on Monday.

Also, strong wind accompanied by torrents of rain caused a lot of structural damage. Areas like Nowshehra, Akbarpura and outskirts of Peshawar witnessed uprooting of trees and electricity poles.

Mushtaq Ghani, Information minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has declared a state of emergency in all the hospitals of the region. Flights from Peshawar airport have been suspended as the rainstorm is expected to continue.

Seventeen millimeter rain and wind velocity of 110 kmph were recorded in Peshawar. Meanwhile, predictions of the meteorological department say that the situation may remain strained up to 24 hours in Malakand, Hazara and Peshawar city areas.

The injured have been taken to hospitals, though further relief and rescue work is being hampered by the ongoing rainstorm. The army has also sent troops to carry out rescue work.