ISLAMABAD (BN24) — Torrential monsoon rains have claimed nearly 150 lives and injured hundreds across Pakistan since late June, as disaster authorities brace for another wave of potentially deadly weather this week.
The country’s National Disaster Management Authority said Wednesday that the national death toll from seasonal downpours and flooding had risen sharply to 148, after 27 more fatalities were reported in Punjab province in the past 24 hours alone.
The latest update comes as officials issued fresh warnings of heavy rainfall and flash flooding expected between July 15 and 17. Monsoon rains, which typically arrive in Pakistan by late June and last through September, are critical for the region’s agriculture but often prove deadly due to poor infrastructure and widespread poverty.
“Due to this year’s monsoon rains, 77 citizens have died and 214 have been injured in Punjab alone,” the Provincial Disaster Management Authority said in a statement. “Most deaths have been recorded due to roofs collapsing in dilapidated buildings and old houses.”
Officials have urged residents, especially those living in mud structures or aging homes, to evacuate if possible and avoid low-lying areas prone to flooding. “Citizens are requested to take precautionary measures in view of the rainy season … Do not stay in old mud houses under any circumstances,” the statement warned.
Under orders from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, those injured are receiving emergency medical care while the families of the deceased will be provided financial compensation in accordance with provincial policy.
Children, in particular, are being warned to stay away from exposed electric wires, poles, and waterlogged zones. “By adopting precautionary measures, loss of life and property can be avoided,” the disaster authority added.
Pakistan faces mounting challenges as climate change intensifies the severity of seasonal weather. Though the country contributes less than one percent to global greenhouse gas emissions, it remains among the most vulnerable to climate-related disasters. In 2022, record-breaking monsoon floods submerged a third of the country, affected over 33 million people, and caused more than $30 billion in damages, according to government estimates.
This year’s monsoon has already left a trail of destruction, particularly in Punjab, the country’s most populous province. The disaster management agency continues to monitor rainfall and flood patterns closely as emergency responders brace for further casualties in the days ahead.
