Torrential rains kill 24 in Pakistan in a day

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Torrential rains and flash floods have killed at least 24 people in southern and northwestern Pakistan over the last 24 hours, officials and local media said on Sunday.

The massive downpour struck the southern port city of Karachi on Saturday night, which lasted next 16 hours with short intervals.

At least 12 people were killed, mostly by electric current, in different parts of the commercial capital as the government called on the army to rescue stranded people, local broadcaster Geo News reported.

The floods also triggered landslides, power cut-off, and downed trees and utility poles in many areas.

Footage aired on the Geo News showed people stranded in flash floods being rescued via a helicopter and cranes.

Dozens of vehicles were seen stuck in the middle of the submerged roads as people waded through knee-deep rainwater to reach their destinations.

According to the metrological department, the city received 150 mm rains.

In the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, at least 12 people were killed and 22 injured in rain related accidents, mainly landslides and roof collapses, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said in a statement.

Deaths were reported from For, Chitral, Mohmand, Bajaur and Torgar districts, the statement said.

The meteorologists have forecast more rains in Karachi and other parts of the country in the next 24 hours.