40 killed as heavy rains wreck havoc in Pakistan

At least 40 people were killed and dozens others injured in separate accidents triggered off by torrential rains in Pakistan's Punjab province and Kashmir area Thursday, a media report said.

Punjab's provincial capital of Lahore was the worst-hit area where the heavy downpour killed 35 people and injured many others in separate rain related accidents, Xinhua reported citing Dunya TV.

Five people were killed and several injured in the Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Rescue teams said the deaths were caused by roof collapse, electrocution and road accidents.

The rainwater inundated houses in several low lying areas, creating trouble for the residents.

In a weather forecast report, Met Office said the heavy rains will continue for the next two or three days which may cause flood in two of the major rivers of the province.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed rescue teams to mobilise their resources for providing relief to the affected people.

Monsoon rains hit Pakistan every year in June and start retreating in the first week of September.

Heavy rainfall in September is quite uncommon due to the weather phenomenon determined by geographical location of the country. However, since last three years, the country has observed widespread rainfall in this month due to climate change.