Monsoon Havoc in Pakistan Claims Over 200 Lives, Including 100 Children

Flash floods, house collapses, and landslides wreak havoc across provinces; UN warns of worsening climate vulnerability

Islamabad — More than 200 people, including nearly 100 children, have lost their lives across Pakistan since the beginning of the monsoon season in late June, according to a report by Geo TV, citing data from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The torrential rains have also injured over 560 people and caused widespread destruction.

Punjab province has borne the brunt of the devastation, reporting 123 deaths, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 40 fatalities. Other provinces affected include Sindh (21 deaths), Balochistan (16), Islamabad (1), and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (1).

While the causes of death varied, the NDMA noted that house collapses were the deadliest, claiming 118 lives. Flash floods accounted for 30 deaths, while others were due to drowning, lightning strikes, electrocution, and landslides. The crisis has been further compounded by a breakdown in infrastructure and communication lines, leaving thousands stranded or displaced.

Rawalpindi has been particularly affected, with flash floods submerging homes, markets, and entire neighborhoods. In several areas, floodwaters rose so high they reached rooftops, forcing residents to flee, often leaving their belongings behind. Faisalabad also reported severe damage, with 11 deaths and 60 injuries in just two days due to the collapse of weak structures.

In Chakwal, more than 450 mm of rain washed away at least 32 roads, further disrupting mobility and rescue efforts. Landslides and floods have destroyed key infrastructure in various parts of Punjab, isolating communities and leaving many without electricity and clean water.

A report by UN News warns of additional flooding in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan regions due to a glacial lake burst. The UN highlighted how such events underscore Pakistan’s extreme vulnerability to climate change.

In 2022, catastrophic monsoon floods in Pakistan killed over 1,700 people, displaced millions, and inflicted an estimated economic loss of $40 billion. With monsoon rains recurring every year from June to September, Pakistan continues to face the dual threat of climate-induced disasters and inadequate infrastructure in flood-prone areas.

Authorities are continuing relief efforts, but with infrastructure damaged and weather patterns intensifying, the situation remains dire.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)