Torrential rains, heavy snowfall claim 28 lives
06 February, 2013
ISLAMABAD: Widespread rain and snowfall have claimed 28 lives across the country, wreaking havoc in hilly areas where people have been forced to take refuge in mosques.
Heavy downpour has been lashing every part of the country since the last two days, and there are reports that at least 28 people have died. As many as seven people are reported to have been killed in Jaswant Singh after the roofs of several homes caved in due to heavy rain. In Haripur, six members of a family were swept away by the floodwater of a seasonal nullah. The body of a minor was recovered, while one male member of the family was rescued. A search operation was launched for the remaining people.
One person was killed and three sustained fatal injuries after the roof of a hotel collapsed in Pindi Bhattian. Meanwhile, two brothers died and more than eight people were grievously injured after the roof of a home came down in Swabi. Three passersby were buried alive when an avalanche hit Malik Nil Amtoli near Shangla. Heavy snowfall has led to closure of all link roads in Ghizar, Galliat, Murree and upper parts of Kashmir adding to the miseries of the commuters. The residents of these areas have been confined indoors due to inclement weather.
As per the Met Office, 15millimeter rain was recorded in Dipalpur during the last 12 hours, 47mm in Islamabad, 43mm in Kakul, 40mm in Garhi Dupatta and 35mm in Para Chinar and Balakot. The low-lying areas of Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan were submerged in the rainwater. Cherat crossed the highest ever record of 148mm rain. Saidu Sharif received 138millimeter rain, Risalpur 136mm, Lower Dir 107mm, Rawalkot 95mm, Islamabad 69mm and Mianwali 5mm.
On the other hand, there has been heavy snowfall in hilly areas. Malam Jabba received 3.5feet snow, Kalam 3 feet and Murree 8 inches. Snowfall continued on the second consecutive day in Skardu. The key highways leading to Muzaffarabad, Rawalkot and Punjab were closed due to land sliding. Met Office said that Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Peshawar, Kohat and Malakand are likely to receive rainfall in the next 12 hours while the hilly areas may see more snowfall.
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