How Have Torrential Monsoon Rains in Pakistan Led to 299 Fatalities, Including 140 Children?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 299 fatalities reported due to monsoon rains.
- 140 children among the deceased.
- Over 715 injuries have been reported.
- Significant damage to homes and livestock.
- Forecast predicts more rain and potential flooding.
Islamabad, Aug 4 (NationPress) The relentless monsoon rains have caused significant devastation across Pakistan, resulting in at least 299 fatalities, which includes 140 children, and injuring 715 individuals since June 26, as per the latest statistics provided by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Among the injured, there are 239 children, 204 women, and 272 men, affected by incidents related to the severe weather, as reported by local media on Monday.
Furthermore, a total of 1,676 homes have suffered damage, and 428 livestock have perished due to the devastating flash floods and heavy rainfall, which have inflicted widespread destruction on numerous communities.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted continued rainfall for the upper and central regions of the country, with weak monsoon currents anticipated to strengthen on Monday, followed by a robust westerly wave on Tuesday, according to Pakistani daily newspaper The Express Tribune.
The PMD’s National Weather Forecasting Centre predicts rain accompanied by thundershowers and sporadic heavy downpours in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB), Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Punjab, and Islamabad until Thursday.
“More rains with wind-thundershowers are expected in the upcoming week. Weak monsoon currents are steadily advancing into the upper and central regions and are likely to intensify from August 4. A westerly wave is expected to strengthen on August 5,” it noted.
The department also anticipates rain and windstorms in various areas of north-eastern Balochistan on August 6, warning of potential flooding in low-lying areas and advising residents to exercise caution.
“All relevant agencies have been instructed to remain vigilant and take proactive measures,” stated the meteorological office.
The PMD has alerted that heavy rainfall might trigger flash floods in several local nullahs across regions including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Buner, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Murree, Galliyat, Rawalpindi, north-east Punjab, and PoK.
The meteorological department further indicated that urban flooding could impact low-lying areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, and Sialkot throughout the week.
According to the PMD, the prevailing weather conditions have escalated the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), flash flooding, and landslides in vulnerable glaciated regions of PoGB.