20 dead in 24 hours as heavy rainfall lashes in Pakistan’s Punjab

Excessive rainfall in Punjab region of Pakistan has caused at least 20 deaths in the last 24 hours, as reported by Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper.

According to Farooq Ahmed, spokesperson for the provincial emergency service, the 20 rainfall-related deaths were variously caused by electrocution, drowning, and being hit by lightning. Among those who died, seven have drowned and six have been electrocuted. Five people in Narowal and two in Sheikhupura have died after being hit by lightning.

61 further cases of electrocution have been admitted to hospitals across Punjab, and 54 of them have received immediate medical treatment.

Traffic officers deployed in Punjab as PM Sharif demands action

The heavy rainfalls have caused traffic issues in congested areas of the Punjab region, including Lahore, and urban flooding is widespread. In view of the situation, the traffic police have deployed additional officers and fork lifters to assist the people, said City Traffic Officer (CTO) Muntasnir Feroz.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued directives to the Punjab government and local administration to take control of the water drainage situation. According to a statement released by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) party, Sharif ordered the administration to “make arrangements for draining the water within 24 hours”.

In the message written in Urdu, the Prime Minister directed all governmental agencies to mobilise units to make sure that traffic can flow safely in the urban areas of Punjab and other places of the country.