https://twitter.com/home https://www.facebook.com/Shabbir.Hussain191By Shabbir Hussain
RAWALPINDI, July 17 (Alliance News): Torrential monsoon rains claimed at least 54 lives across Punjab in the past 24 hours, raising Pakistan’s seasonal death toll to 178 since late June, as flash floods, collapsed buildings, and overflowing drains battered Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and surrounding regions.
In Rawalpindi, hours of relentless downpour caused Nullah Lai to swell dangerously, submerging low-lying areas and sweeping away vehicles.
Emergency warnings were issued for Katarian and Gawalmandi, while the district administration declared Thursday a public holiday to ensure residents stayed indoors. Islamabad also suffered damage, with basement flooding and landslides near the Bari Imam shrine.
A rain emergency was declared across Rawalpindi, Chakwal, and Islamabad, with the Meteorological Department forecasting continued heavy rainfall until late Friday.
Chakwal received 450mm of rain, leading to the collapse of a small dam in Dherabi and cutting off dozens of rural communities. The historic Katas Raj temple complex was also flooded.
In Jehlum, cloudbursts triggered flash floods that left at least seven people, including six police officers, stranded.
Six were rescued, while one remains missing. Meanwhile, 70 individuals have been rescued from affected areas so far, including a family near Chakri Road in Rawalpindi, airlifted by army helicopters.
In Sialkot, a flood alert was issued at Head Marala as the Chenab River reached a dangerous flow of 72,568 cusecs. Although river levels remain under control, emergency services are on high alert with helpline 1718 active 24/7.
The Punjab government imposed Section 144, banning swimming in rivers, dams, and ponds until August 30. NDMA advised residents in vulnerable areas to store food, water, and medicines for at least 3 to 5 days.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, after visiting the National Emergency Operation Centre, expressed grief over the casualties.
Officials informed him that rainfall this season has been 30 to 40 percent above average. The PM said timely preventive measures helped limit damage, despite extraordinary cloudburst conditions.
Of the 54 deaths reported in the last day, 46 were due to building collapses, five from drowning, and three from electrocution.
The victims included 20 men, 12 women, and 22 children. Another 227 people were injured, bringing the season’s total injury count to 491.
The monsoon season, which brings 70-80% of South Asia’s annual rainfall, is vital for agriculture but increasingly destructive.
Pakistan, among the most climate-vulnerable nations, is witnessing more frequent and extreme weather events. In 2022, similar floods left a third of the country submerged and claimed 1,700 lives.
