Pakistan: Flooding and landslides kill at least 26 people February 21-22

Event

Torrential rain and heavy snow hit several cities across Pakistan on Thursday, February 21, causing deadly flash flooding and landslides. At least 26 people were killed in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Punjab, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir as of Friday, February 22. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was one of the worst hit areas, were at least 14 people, including children, died from landslides and roof collapses. Heavy snowfall at higher elevations also stranded hundreds of travelers near Lowari Top and blocking vehicles traveling from Peshawar and Islamabad to Chitral. In Balochistan province, flash flooding isolated villages around the town of Lesbella, affecting over 200 families. Emergency workers have been deployed into the area to rescue residents around the town. According to current forecasts, drier weather is expected over the coming days in the affected area, which should allow recovery efforts to continue unimpeded.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, anticipate transportation disruptions, obey instructions issued by the local authorities, and avoid flood-prone areas until the situation stabilizes. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.