Pakistan monsoon rains death toll rises to 299, including 140 children
Pakistan’s devastating monsoon rains have claimed at least 299 lives, including 140 children, since the start of the season in late June, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The agency also confirmed that more than 700 people have been injured as heavy downpours triggered flash floods, landslides, and widespread damage to infrastructure.
The NDMA said Punjab province was worst affected, accounting for nearly half of all reported deaths, followed by the mountainous northwestern region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where flooding washed away roads, homes, and agricultural land. Of the 715 people injured, 239 were children, 204 were women, and 272 were men.
Pakistan’s Meteorological Department has issued fresh warnings for intense rainfall and thunderstorms in Punjab, KP, and Pakistan-administered Kashmir starting Monday. Disaster response teams and military units have been placed on high alert, with authorities preparing evacuation plans for low-lying and flood-prone areas.
Monsoon rains, which typically run from late June to September, are crucial for agriculture but often bring deadly consequences to South Asia. Experts say climate change is intensifying these seasonal rains, making them more erratic and destructive. Pakistan, still recovering from the record-breaking 2022 floods that submerged one-third of the country and displaced millions, remains highly vulnerable to extreme weather events.
Officials are urging residents in high-risk areas to stay alert as rescue operations continue, while humanitarian groups have warned of potential outbreaks of waterborne diseases and food shortages in affected regions.
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