Monsoon Death Toll Climbs to 221 as Floods Continue to Wreak Havoc

News Desk

Islamabad: The death toll from the ongoing monsoon devastation in Pakistan has surged to 221, with Punjab province bearing the brunt of the destruction, according to the latest figures released by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday.

Heavy rains and associated disasters such as flash floods, landslides, building collapses, lightning strikes, and electrocution have led to widespread destruction and loss of life across the country. The NDMA reported that five more people including three children died in the last 24 hours, while 10 others sustained injuries.

Since the onset of the monsoon season, 592 people have been injured, including 77 men, 40 women, and 104 children. Punjab remains the most affected region with 135 deaths and 470 injuries.

In other provinces, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 40 deaths and 69 injuries, Sindh 22 fatalities and 40 injured, and Balochistan 16 deaths. Azad Jammu and Kashmir confirmed one fatality and six injuries, while Gilgit-Baltistan reported three non-fatal injuries. Islamabad recorded one death.

The NDMA said the majority of casualties were due to structural collapses, drowning, electrocution, and extreme weather-triggered incidents such as lightning strikes and landslides.

Property damage has also been extensive. In the last 24 hours alone, 25 houses collapsed, and five cattle were killed. Overall, 804 houses have been either partially or fully damaged and at least 200 livestock lost since the start of the monsoon season.

Breakdown of house damage by region shows Punjab reported 168 partially damaged homes. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa saw 142 homes partially damaged and 78 completely destroyed. Sindh documented 54 partial and 33 full collapses. In Balochistan, 56 homes were partially damaged and eight fully destroyed. Gilgit-Baltistan faced severe destruction with 71 partially damaged and 66 fully collapsed homes. Azad Jammu and Kashmir saw 75 partially damaged and 17 completely destroyed houses. Islamabad recorded 35 partial collapses and one complete collapse.

The NDMA has issued a flood emergency warning for Babusar Top, where recent cloudbursts triggered flash floods and landslides across a 7–8 km stretch, blocking at least 14 to 15 routes. Stranded tourists have been safely evacuated to Chilas, officials said.

Rescue and relief efforts are underway, but the NDMA has urged citizens, particularly those living in flood-prone or low-lying areas, to exercise extreme caution as more rainfall is expected in the coming days.

More Rains Forecast

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a fresh alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in several regions, including Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Punjab, and Gilgit-Baltistan. While many areas will experience humid weather, heavy downpours are expected to intensify over the next 48 hours.

The PMD has warned that torrential rains could trigger flash floods in local streams and nullahs, especially in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Buner, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan and northeastern Punjab.

Urban flooding risks remain high in major cities including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Okara, and Peshawar.

Landslides and mudslides are also feared in vulnerable mountainous regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

While monsoon rains are vital for agriculture and water resources, experts warn that the growing impact of extreme weather events—exacerbated by rapid urbanisation, deforestation, and inadequate infrastructure—is increasing the severity of seasonal disasters in the region.