ISLAMABAD, July 21 (Alliance News): At least 13 more people have died in the last 24 hours due to rain and flood-related incidents across Pakistan, raising the total number of casualties since June 26 to 216, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported on Sunday.
The NDMA said the recent deaths were caused by flooding and house collapses triggered by ongoing heavy monsoon rains. Twelve deaths were reported from Punjab and one from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Among the dead were four children and three women.
So far, Punjab has reported the highest number of fatalities at 135, followed by 42 in KP, 21 in Sindh, 16 in Balochistan, and one each in Islamabad and Azad Kashmir. Alarmingly, 101 children have lost their lives during this deadly weather spell.
The NDMA noted that most deaths resulted from collapsing roofs, sudden floods, lightning strikes, drowning, and landslides, especially in areas with poorly built homes. Vulnerable families had little chance to escape the devastation once the rains hit.
More than 580 people have been injured since the start of the monsoon, including 20 just in the last day. The injured include 227 men, 163 women, and 192 children.
The NDMA added that around 800 homes have been completely destroyed, and nearly 200 livestock have perished in the floods.
Rescue and relief efforts are ongoing. However, with further rainfall expected in the coming days, authorities have strongly urged people in flood-prone and low-lying areas to take extra precautions.
Monsoon rains are a regular seasonal feature in South Asia and vital for agriculture and water supplies. But their impact has become more severe in recent years due to unchecked urban growth, weak drainage infrastructure, and the increasing effects of climate change.
