Pakistan Flood:  What started as a picnic went wrong for a Pakistani family from Sialkot district when 11 family members lost their lives when a sudden surge in the Swat River swept them away, Geo News reported on Saturday. According to officials, 17 members of the family were enjoying a picnic along the Swat River when the water level rose abruptly due to heavy monsoon rains. While four people were rescued, the search is still underway for two missing family members.

Pakistan’s Monsoon Fury: 32 Killed Nationwide In Flash Floods

The accident occurs in the wake of extreme flooding and heavy rains throughout Pakistan. At least 32 individuals have lost their lives since the beginning of the monsoon season last week, according to disaster management authorities quoted by Al Jazeera. Flash floods and collapses have been experienced throughout several regions following heavy rain. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported 19 fatalities within the province since Wednesday, including eight children.

Swat is one of the worst-hit districts, with 13 fatalities and several injured reported. District Administrator Shehzad Mahboob explained the family tragedy as happening when children from the group were in the water posing for photographs and were suddenly engulfed in the deluge. Family members who ventured in to try and rescue them were also washed away by the strong currents. The National Meteorological Service of Pakistan has warned that there will be a continued threat of heavy rain and flash flooding through at least Tuesday. The PDMA has cautioned people against unnecessary travel in the midst of the bad weather, away from overflowing drains, and not to continue residing in structurally unsound, damaged buildings.

Apart from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab province has also witnessed extensive destruction. Fifteen individuals, including eight minors, lost their lives, and 40 others got injured in various rain-related accidents, primarily owing to roof and wall collapses in urban centers such as Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, and Okara, the PDMA reported. The floods damaged at least 56 houses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, six of which were destroyed.

ALSO READ: Pakistan Flood Tragedy: 18 Family Members Drown During Holiday Trip In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Swat River

Pakistan Faces 2022-Like Flood Emergency

Many fear a repeat of the 2022 tragedy when record rains during the monsoons and melting of glaciers killed more than 1,700 people and impacted 33 million nationwide, with damages exceeding 30 billion USD.

ALSO READ: Pakistan Facing 2022-Like Disaster: Pre-Monsoon Rains Trigger Flash Floods In Multiple Cities, Over 30 Killed

Authorities have urged district administrations to deliver immediate relief, arrange medical treatment for the injured, and assist affected families. Pakistan, being one of the world's most climate-exposed countries, keeps witnessing deadly weather conditions with growing force. Its 240 million citizens suffer drastically from rising temperatures, heavy rainfall, floods, and droughts.

With agency inputs.