Nearly 200 killed in rain-triggered accidents across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least 194 people were killed and 28 others injured in rain-related accidents across Pakistan in the past 24 hours, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said Friday.

The northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was the worst hit, reporting 180 deaths, followed by Pakistan-controlled Kashmir with nine fatalities and the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region with five, according to the NDMA.

Officials said the casualties were caused by flash floods, landslides and house collapses triggered by heavy monsoon rains in northern and northwestern areas.

Flash floods also damaged roads, bridges, houses, schools, water tanks and agricultural land, Faizullah Faraq, a spokesman for the GB government said.

The official said that several people are missing, and rescue teams are conducting search operations despite challenging conditions, adding that emergency measures are in place in several areas, with authorities remaining on high alert.

Expressing grief over the loss of lives, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said that all the necessary relief measures are being taken for the assistance and rehabilitation of those affected.

Since late June, seasonal rains have claimed more than 500 lives nationwide in Pakistan, official data showed.■