Torrential rains in Pakistan‘s Punjab province have killed at least 63 people and injured 290 others within just 24 hours since Wednesday morning. The heavy downpour led to building collapses, electrocutions, and several drownings, according to the National Disaster Management Authority.
Most victims died when homes and structures gave way under the relentless rain. Others lost their lives through drowning or electric shocks caused by submerged infrastructure. With this new toll, the number of monsoon-related deaths across Pakistan since late June has reached nearly 180 — over half of them children.
Authorities in Rawalpindi, adjacent to the capital Islamabad, declared Thursday a public holiday. The aim was to keep residents indoors as water levels in the city’s main river rose dangerously. Officials also ordered evacuations in neighborhoods near the river.
The downpours have paralyzed transport across Punjab. Several expressways were closed, while dozens of flights faced cancellations or long delays. In Chakwal, more than 400mm of rainfall submerged large parts of the city. Footage showed rescue teams using boats to reach stranded residents. Military helicopters hovered overhead, scanning flooded zones for survivors.
Punjab’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz, confirmed that emergency status had been declared in multiple districts. “Government institutions are working with utmost effort,” she posted on X, encouraging citizens to follow safety protocols.
Local authorities warned that more rains and flash floods are likely through the weekend. Thousands of emergency workers remain on standby across the province.
Pakistan, home to nearly 250 million people, is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The country endures both extreme heat and monsoon rains due to overlapping weather systems. Compounding the problem, over 13,000 glaciers in the region are melting rapidly, increasing flood risks during every monsoon.
The 2022 floods submerged a third of Pakistan, killing 1,700 people and causing economic damages worth over $30 billion. In 2023, the UN Secretary-General urged global support for Pakistan, calling it a “double victim” of climate injustice and an “immoral” financial system.
With more rainfall expected, the current crisis could escalate, forcing thousands more from their homes and straining Pakistan’s already overburdened emergency services.
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