Children among Hundreds Dead As Pakistan Hit by Deadly Monsoon Floods
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Since June 26, nearly 300 people — including at least 140 children — have died across Pakistan due to intense monsoon-triggered rains, landslides and flash floods, as authorities warn of more severe weather in the coming days.
A total of 299 fatalities have been reported so far, with over 700 injured, according to Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Among the injured are 239 children, 204 women, and 272 men.
The eastern Punjab province recorded the highest number of deaths at 162.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa followed with 69 deaths, Sindh reported 28, Balochistan 20, Gilgit-Baltistan 10, Islamabad 8, and Pakistan-administered Kashmir 2.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Sunday that currently weak monsoon currents are present in upper and central regions of the country.
These systems are expected to intensify from August 4.
A strengthening westerly wave is also expected from August 5.
“Heavy rains may generate flash floods in local nullahs and streams in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Buner, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, northeast Punjab and Kashmir from Aug. 5 to 7,” the PMD stated.
Authorities have also warned of potential urban flooding in low-lying parts of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore and Sialkot.
Landslides may disrupt traffic and cut off roads in mountainous areas of KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir.
Rescue agencies have been instructed to remain on high alert.
The PMD advised the public, travelers and tourists to avoid unnecessary movement in vulnerable areas during the forecast period.
Pakistan, one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, has experienced increasingly erratic and destructive weather patterns in recent years.
In 2022, one-third of the country was submerged in historic floods that left over 1,700 dead and caused $35 billion in damages.
