21 killed in heavy rains across KP: PDMA

• Heavy rains destroy 53 houses, damage 277 others across province.
• PMD reports as many as 330 incidents of roof, wall collapses in KP.
• Says relief supplies including tents, blankets, provided to affectees.
  

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has said that at least 21 people have been killed in various incidents due to heavy rains that have hampered the province in the past four days.

As per the government body, the deceased included nine children and three women, whereas 32 people were injured as well.

Furthermore, as many as 330 incidents of roof and wall collapse were reported in various districts across the province due to rain which destroyed 53 houses and partially damaged another 277.

Elaborating on the relief efforts, the PDMA said that 200 tents, blankets, mosquito nets and mattresses have been provided to the affectees along with 100 kitchen sets and mats each.

The development comes as various parts of the country have witnessed significant downpours in recent days. 

On Monday, Balochistan government declared rain and flood emergency due to continuous heavy rains which battered different districts of Balochistan, killing and injuring several people across the province.

The areas which witnessed heavy rains include Kohlu, Musa Khel, Zhob, Sherani, Mastung, Nushki.

Meanwhile, Chaman, Qila Abdullah, Pishin, Ziarat, Mastung, Muslim Bagh, Kan Mehtarzai and Kalat saw hailstorms accompanied by strong winds which has caused destruction to trees, gardens and solar panels.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted more intermittent rains in all four provinces.

"Strong Westerly wave is likely to enter Western parts of the country on April 16 (night) in Balochistan [...] and will extend to upper parts on April 18," the Met Office said in a statement today.

According to the PMD,  several areas of Balochistan are expected to witness heavy rains and thunderstorms from April 16 to 19.

Meanwhile, rainfall is predicted in KP from April 17 to 21, along with downpours in Punjab and Islamabad from April 18 to 21.

In Sindh, the Met Office has forecast rains from April 17 to 19.

Last week, at least 24 people lost their lives after lightning strikes struck in Balochistan and Punjab due to heavy rains.

Out of the total, 16 people were killed in South Punjab, whereas Balochistan reported eight fatalities due to lightning incidents.