Additional Coverage:
Death Toll from Monsoon Flooding in Pakistan Exceeds 100 as More Rain Forecasted
LAHORE, Pakistan – The recent wave of monsoon rains and flash floods in Pakistan has claimed the lives of more than 100 people over the past month, with authorities warning that additional heavy rainfall is expected later this week.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), 109 fatalities have been recorded nationwide since June 26. Nearly half of these deaths occurred in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, near the Afghan border, where collapsing houses and roofs were the main causes of casualties.
This update follows a recent review by the NDMA of flood preparedness measures across Pakistan. Officials emphasized the importance of issuing timely warnings to riverine communities, enabling residents to evacuate voluntarily or be relocated before floodwaters inundate their homes.
Last week’s heavy rains caused significant flooding in various areas, including Lahore, the country’s cultural hub. Flooded streets forced commuters to take extensive detours, and social media posts showed residents wading through waterlogged neighborhoods. These scenes sparked public criticism over the government’s readiness and response to extreme weather events.
Authorities have cautioned that the country remains vulnerable to severe monsoon impacts, with the possibility of experiencing conditions similar to the catastrophic 2022 floods. That disaster submerged about one-third of Pakistan, resulting in 1,737 deaths and displacing millions of people.