Monsoon Devastation in Pakistan: Death Toll Climbs to 272 as New Rain Spell Approaches
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan continues to grapple with the devastating impact of ongoing monsoon rains, with the nationwide death toll now reaching 272, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The relentless downpours have left over 650 people injured across the country and caused damage to 1,192 homes, displacing countless families.
Regional Impact and Looming Threat
The NDMA's latest update provides a sobering regional breakdown of the monsoon's impact:
Punjab leads with 145 deaths and 514 injuries, highlighting the extensive damage in the province.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has recorded 64 fatalities and 80 injuries.
Sindh reports 25 deaths and 40 injuries.
Balochistan has seen 20 lives lost and four wounded.
Islamabad accounts for eight deaths and three injuries.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has reported two fatalities.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a fresh warning, forecasting another intense spell of monsoon rains from July 28 to July 31.
Monsoon Outlook and Warnings
Weak monsoon currents currently affecting upper and central Pakistan are expected to intensify as a new westerly system approaches on July 29.
Specific warnings include:
Balochistan's northeastern and southern areas, including Quetta, Zhob, Khuzdar, and Lasbela, are likely to experience thundershowers and isolated heavy falls starting July 29.
Sindh will mostly remain hot and humid, but areas such as Dadu, Tharparkar, and Sukkur could receive rain on July 30 and 31.
The PMD has also cautioned about the risk of flash floods in the hilly streams of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northeast Balochistan, Punjab, and Kashmir. Urban flooding is anticipated in low-lying areas of major cities like Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Sialkot. Additionally, landslides and mudslides pose a threat to traffic disruption in Murree, Galiyat, Gilgit-Baltistan, and other mountainous regions.
