ISLAMABAD: Since the start of the monsoon season on June 25, heavy rains have claimed at least 45 lives across Pakistan, including several women and children, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Sunday. The agency also warned of more intense rainfall and extreme weather in the coming week.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) recorded the highest number of casualties, with 21 deaths and 11 injuries—largely due to the tragic incident where tourists were swept away by the Swat River. Punjab followed with 13 deaths, while Sindh and Balochistan reported 7 and 4 fatalities respectively.
Urban areas like Karachi continue to suffer from inadequate infrastructure, where incidents of electrocution and people drowning in open drains are frequently reported during heavy downpours.
Mountain Communities at Risk
Monsoon rains are especially deadly in Pakistan’s mountainous and hilly regions, where flash floods are common and infrastructure is limited. Many people are forced to cross swollen streams on foot or via makeshift bridges, often risking their lives when sudden floods occur.
Pakistan is among the most climate-vulnerable countries globally. Its population of 240 million faces increasing threats from extreme weather, including shifting rainfall patterns, heatwaves, and flash floods.
This year’s dry winter has been followed by forecasts predicting over 30% above-normal rainfall in some regions during the monsoon season, which extends through mid-September.
Earlier this summer, Pakistan endured multiple heatwaves in May and June, resulting in several deaths and widespread health concerns. Over the past 12 years, heatwaves have become a recurring and intensifying threat in the region.
