How Many Lives Have Been Claimed by the Torrential Rains in Pakistan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Over 124 lives lost due to monsoon rains.
- Punjab province faces the highest number of casualties.
- Authorities warn of urban flooding and continued rainfall.
- Emergency response teams are activated across affected areas.
- Residents are urged to relocate to safer grounds.
Islamabad, July 17 (NationPress) - An additional 60 lives have been lost, with hundreds more injured as relentless monsoon rains wreak havoc across Pakistan, escalating the national death toll to over 124.
As reported by Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the torrential rains and related incidents have claimed at least 124 lives and left 264 individuals injured across the nation over the past three weeks.
In Punjab province alone, 44 fatalities occurred on Wednesday due to incidents like collapsing roofs and electrocution, while 16 deaths were confirmed in Balochistan from similar rain-induced disasters.
Authorities are anticipating continued devastation as the unyielding monsoon system is expected to persist until late Thursday, according to local media.
The majority of casualties in Punjab were reported in Lahore, Okara, Faisalabad, and surrounding districts, where structural failures and electrocutions were identified as the main causes, as cited by Pakistan's 'The Express Tribune'.
In Lahore, heavy rainfall led to 16 deaths and injured six others, with three rooftops collapsing throughout the city.
In Faisalabad, 23 separate incidents of roof collapses resulted in at least seven fatalities and 36 injuries, including a 45-year-old woman and her 14-year-old son trapped beneath the debris.
Moreover, in Okara, seven individuals, including five children, perished due to collapsing structures, electrocution, and drowning incidents.
The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported significant rainfall in several districts, with 217mm in Sheikhupura, 170mm in Okara, 130mm in Chichawatni, 90mm in Hafizabad, and 85mm in Kasur. Other areas like Faisalabad (60mm), Mandi Bahauddin (32mm), and Jhelum (29mm) also experienced considerable rainfall.
Further rain is anticipated in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Multan, D G Khan, and Bahawalpur divisions, as the ongoing monsoon cycle is likely to last until late Thursday.
Major cities in Punjab are on alert for urban flooding, with authorities predicting moderate-to-high water flow in the Jhelum and Chenab rivers at key locations such as Mangla, Marala, Khanki, and Qadirabad.
A low-level flood is expected at Tarbela (Indus River) and Marala (Chenab River), with heavy upstream rains likely to exacerbate the situation in upper catchments over the next 24 to 36 hours.
The provincial administration has put the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners on high alert.
Relief Commissioner Nabil Javed has directed all administrative officers to maintain a field presence and activate emergency disaster response teams, ensuring availability of fuel reserves and evacuation protocols.
Residents living near riverbeds are advised to move their livestock to safer locations, while flood relief camps have been established with essential supplies, as per the NDMA.