Devastating rains batter Pakistan: Over 220 dead, hundreds injured

(Web Desk): The ongoing monsoon season in Pakistan has turned deadly, with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reporting a total of 221 fatalities as fresh cloudbursts and torrential rains triggered flash floods, landslides, and lightning strikes across various regions, especially mountainous areas.

In the latest update released Tuesday, the NDMA confirmed five more deaths — two men and three children — and ten injuries from rain-related incidents in the past 24 hours. Since the onset of the season, 592 people have been injured in weather-related accidents. The injured include 77 men, 40 women, and 104 children.

Punjab province has suffered the highest number of casualties, with 135 deaths and 470 injuries. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) follows with 40 fatalities and 69 injuries. Sindh has recorded 22 deaths and 40 injuries, while Balochistan confirmed 16 fatalities. Azad Jammu and Kashmir reported one death and six injuries, Islamabad recorded one fatality, and Gilgit-Baltistan reported three injuries without any deaths.

The NDMA noted that most deaths resulted from building collapses, electrocution, drowning, lightning strikes, flash floods, and landslides.

The authority also reported significant property damage. In the past 24 hours alone, 25 houses collapsed, and five cattle were killed. Since the start of the monsoon season, 804 homes have been damaged or destroyed, and 200 livestock have perished. Punjab recorded 168 partially damaged homes. KP reported 142 homes partially damaged and 78 fully collapsed. Sindh saw 54 partially and 33 completely destroyed homes. In Balochistan, 56 homes were partially damaged and eight flattened. Gilgit-Baltistan reported 71 partially damaged and 66 completely destroyed houses. Azad Kashmir recorded 75 partially damaged and 17 completely razed homes, while Islamabad reported 35 partial and one full collapse.

The NDMA has also declared a flood emergency in the Babusar region, where torrential rainfall has triggered flash floods and landslides, affecting a 7–8 km stretch around Babusar Top. Approximately 14 to 15 routes have been blocked in the area. Rescue operations are underway, and stranded tourists have been evacuated to Chilas safely.

Relief efforts are in full swing, but authorities warn the situation may worsen as more rain is expected in the coming days. Citizens, especially those living in low-lying and flood-prone areas, have been urged to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures.

Monsoon rains are vital for agriculture and water supply in South Asia, but their destructive potential has increased in recent years. Experts attribute the growing impact of seasonal downpours to rapid urbanization, inadequate drainage infrastructure, and a rise in extreme weather events linked to climate change.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread rain, wind, and thunderstorms for Tuesday in regions including Kashmir, KP, Islamabad, Punjab, and Gilgit-Baltistan. While certain parts of the country will continue to experience hot and humid weather, several areas are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall.

The PMD has issued warnings for possible flash floods in local streams and nullahs, especially in hilly northern regions such as Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Buner, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Murree, and Galliyat. Urban flooding is also a risk in cities like Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Okara, Nowshera, and Peshawar.

Furthermore, landslides and mudslides pose a serious threat in vulnerable areas of KP, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.