Pakistan: Flooding, high winds leave 15 dead in multiple provinces May 13

Event

Storms bringing heavy rainfall and high winds led to flash flooding and structural damages in Punjab province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) overnight from Saturday, May 12, to Sunday, May 13 (local time). As of Sunday, at least 15 people had been killed and some 22 others had been injured in associated weather-related incidents; most such casualties have been attributed to the collapses of mud brick and stone walls and houses. The adverse weather conditions also reportedly caused power outages in affected areas, notably in Peshawar. Officials have said that the death toll may rise as recovery operations are ongoing. Lingering transportation disruptions are also possible in the coming hours.

Advice

Individuals present in affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, avoid areas directly hit by flooding, prepare for associated transportation disruptions, and adhere to any orders issued by the local authorities (e.g. evacuation orders). 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.