Torrential rains kill 7 in Pakistan, trigger flashfloods

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Pre-monsoon rains killed at least seven people, flooding large parts of Pakistan in the past 24 hours, officials and local media said on Sunday.

Flashfloods washed away several bridges and roads, submerged farmlands, and knocked out power in many parts of the southwestern Balochistan province, which is worst-hit by the pre-monsoon season.

Torrential downpours also hit the northeastern Punjab and northern Gilgit-Baltistan regions, as well as Pakistan-administered Kashmir, triggering landslides and disconnecting several areas from the rest of the country.

At least five people were killed and three others injured when a vehicle was swept away by flashfloods in the Sibbi district of Balochistan, local broadcaster Hum News reported.

Another two people were killed and several injured after the roof of a house collapsed due to heavy rains in Punjab's Dera Ghazi Khan district, police said.

Rescuers were battling to rescue at least six people trapped under the rubble after the roof of a house collapsed in the Pind Dadan Khan town of Punjab, Hum News reported.

Pakistan's Meteorological Department issued warnings of more rains and hailstorms flanked by heavy winds across the country for another two days.

Pre-monsoon rains have long been a regular menace to the South Asian country, but the climate change has increased their frequency and unpredictability over the past few years.