How Have Torrential Rainfall and Flash Floods in Pakistan Affected Lives?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 234 fatalities reported due to monsoon rains.
- 596 injuries, predominantly among vulnerable populations.
- 826 homes damaged across the country.
- Provincial authorities urged to remain vigilant.
- High-alert warnings issued by PMD.
Islamabad, July 23 (NationPress) As relentless rains continue to devastate Pakistan, local reports indicate that at least 234 people have tragically lost their lives, while 596 individuals have sustained injuries since the monsoon season began in this South Asian nation.
According to the latest statistics from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the majority of the 596 reported injuries involve vulnerable groups such as children, women, and the elderly, showcasing the harsh impact of the unyielding rainfall.
The catastrophic effects of these rains and flash floods have resulted in damage to 826 homes nationwide. In the last 24 hours alone, two men, two women, and eight children have lost their lives due to rain-related incidents, with ten others injured.
Punjab province has faced the brunt of this disaster, suffering a death toll of 135, which includes 48 men, 24 women, and 63 children, alongside 470 injuries.
The alarming number of child fatalities underscores the dire consequences of the recent downpours on young lives, as reported by the leading Pakistani newspaper, The Express Tribune.
Meanwhile, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) province has recorded 56 deaths, including 16 men, 10 women, and 30 children, with an additional 71 individuals injured due to the catastrophic rains.
In the Swat region of K-P, five children have tragically lost their lives in various rain-related accidents. In Malam Jabba's Sur Dherai, two young boys drowned while attempting to cross a stream with their mother, and in Gujar Band Shanko, three children died, with a woman critically injured due to a house collapse caused by the rain.
Additionally, Sindh reported 24 deaths and 40 injuries, while Balochistan experienced 16 fatalities and four injuries from rain-triggered events.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued high-alert warnings for ongoing heavy to very heavy rainfall across various regions. The risk of urban flooding remains significant in cities such as Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Gujranwala.
The NDMA's National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) has called on all provincial authorities, rescue services, and humanitarian organizations to stay vigilant and prepared.