Pakistan rains claim 245 lives, 118 children among dead

ISLAMABAD: At least 245 people, including 118 children, have lost their lives in rain-related incidents across Pakistan, according to a detailed report issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on the ongoing monsoon season.

The report stated that since June 26, a total of 245 people have died and more than 602 have been injured due to heavy rains across the country.

In the past 24 hours alone, three deaths and two injuries were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while two people were injured in Islamabad.

Punjab has been the worst affected by the monsoon rains, with 135 deaths and 470 injuries since June 26. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 59 deaths and 73 injuries, while 24 people died and 40 were injured in Sindh.

In Balochistan, rains have caused 16 deaths and four injuries, while in Gilgit-Baltistan, three deaths and four injuries were reported. Azad Kashmir recorded two fatalities and eight injuries, whereas the federal capital, Islamabad, reported six deaths and three injuries.

The NDMA report noted that among the deceased were 83 men, 44 women, and 118 children. Of the injured, 232 were men, 168 women, and 202 children.

The report further revealed that 854 houses have been either partially or completely damaged, and 208 livestock animals have perished in the ongoing rains.

According to NDMA, most of the fatalities occurred due to house collapses, drowning, landslides, or flash floods.

Meanwhile, monsoon rains are continuing in different parts of the country, affecting daily life in many areas while the Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted that the current rain spell will continue till July 25.

Cities like Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, and others in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan have received rain, while the Met Office has forecast more rain in the next 24 hours.

In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, it has been raining since morning. A flood-like situation has developed in the Sawan River. The Meteorological Department has warned of more thunderstorm activity today.

Rain also lashed several areas of Karachi, including Saddar and surrounding localities. Rainwater accumulated in low-lying areas, disrupting traffic flow.