Nationwide monsoon death toll climbs to 72 as relentless rains batter Punjab, KP

• Twenty-four more killed in Punjab, KP as second monsoon spell intensifies across country

• NDMA warns of rising river levels, low to medium flooding in Indus and Chenab rivers

• Gujranwala records 245mm rainfall, Lahore receives 123mm as roads and underpasses go under water

• PMD cautions of glacier-fed flooding, riverbank erosion in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

• CM Maryam urges public to avoid rivers, canals and flood-prone areas as heavy rains persist until July 24

 ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Pakistan's nationwide monsoon death toll since June 26 has climbed to 72 after at least 24 more people lost their lives in rain- and wind-related incidents over the past 24 hours, as relentless downpours battered Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), triggering flood warnings, inundating major cities and prompting authorities to intensify emergency response and monitoring across vulnerable areas.

پی ڈی ایم اے کا گلیشیئر والے علاقوں میں دریاؤں، ندی نالوں اور برساتی نالوں میں پانی کی سطح بلند ہونے پر الرٹ جاری۔@ndmapk @Glof2Pakistan @CSKPOfficial @KPChiefMinister @AqibUllahKhan4 @KPRescue1122 @_KPUpdates @infokpgovt pic.twitter.com/B1KITlQweU

— PDMAKP OFFICIAL (@PDMAKP) July 22, 2026

The latest fatalities came as heavy monsoon rains continued to lash large parts of Punjab and KP, with disaster management authorities warning that the ongoing second spell of monsoon rains is expected to persist until July 24, raising water levels in several rivers and increasing the risk of flooding in low-lying and riverine areas.

According to the National Disaster Management Authority's (NDMA) situation report issued on Wednesday, 72 people have died in rain-related incidents since June 26. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded the highest number of fatalities with 41 deaths, followed by 19 in Punjab, seven in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and five in Balochistan.

The NDMA said 15 people were killed and two others injured in rain-related incidents across KP during the last 24 hours, while nine people lost their lives in Punjab over the same period.

Separately, Rescue 1122 spokesman Farooq Ahmad said nine people were killed and 38 others injured across Punjab during the last 24 hours after walls and roofs collapsed due to heavy rain and windstorms.

 River flows rise across Punjab

Meanwhile, the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) warned that continuous monsoon rains were causing water levels to rise in the province's major rivers, with low-level flooding reported at Kalabagh and Chashma on the Indus River, as well as at Marala and Qadirabad on the Chenab River, while Khanqi was experiencing medium-level flooding.

"Due to rainfall in the upper catchment areas, there is a risk of further increase in river flows," PDMA Director General Umar Abbas Meela said in a statement.

He urged citizens living in riverbeds to immediately move to safer locations, adding that flood relief camps had already been established in vulnerable areas. He also advised the public to avoid recreational visits to rivers, canals and seasonal streams and to ensure the use of standard boats and life jackets while crossing rivers.

According to the NDMA's latest situation report, most monsoon-related deaths recorded since late June have resulted from collapsing houses, flash floods, lightning strikes, electrocution and drowning, underscoring the recurring dangers posed by Pakistan's seasonal monsoon rains.

Gujranwala records 245mm rainfall, Lahore receives 123mm

The Punjab PDMA said intermittent heavy rainfall continued across several districts during the previous 24 hours.

According to the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), 123 millimetres of rainfall was recorded in Lahore, while Gujranwala received a record 245mm and Gujrat 95mm.

The PDMA reported 139mm of rainfall in Sialkot, 138mm in Mandi Bahauddin, 117mm in Narowal, 85mm in Hafizabad, 70mm in Chakwal, 64mm in Okara, 35mm in Jhang, 33mm in Layyah and 32mm in Jhelum.

The authority further said that since the beginning of the monsoon season, 17 people have died in rain-related incidents in Punjab. Of these, 12 died due to the collapse of buildings and other structures, two from lightning strikes and three from electrocution.

 Rainwater disrupts traffic in major cities

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also appealed to the public not to endanger their lives by visiting or bathing in canals, rivers and rainwater drains during the ongoing monsoon season and possible flood conditions.

Heavy rainfall caused widespread water accumulation on roads in several major cities of central and northern Punjab, disrupting traffic and daily life.

Photos shared by residents on social media showed the Shamsi Underpass in Gujranwala's Civil Lines area completely submerged, making it impassable for traffic.

Rainwater also accumulated in numerous parts of Lahore, including Kareem Block Market, Johar Town, Township, Ferozepur Road, Multan Road, Samanabad, Gulshan-i-Ravi, Lakshmi Chowk, Model Town and several other major roads and streets.

Images and videos circulating on social media showed commuters stranded as vehicles moved slowly through knee-deep water on major roads across Lahore. Users also reported prolonged electricity outages in several rain-affected localities.

However, Wasa Lahore maintained that no significant water accumulation had been reported on most major roads and intersections.

According to the agency, real-time monitoring of citywide drainage operations was being carried out from the monsoon control room.

"Teams are mobilised for immediate cleaning of main drains and channels to provide relief to citizens," the Director General of Wasa Punjab said while monitoring field operations in Gujranwala.

Wasa said rainwater drainage operations were simultaneously underway in 41 districts, while authorities continued to monitor rivers, dams and barrages around the clock.

The Wasa Punjab director general said all field teams across the province remained on high alert with instructions to ensure the fastest possible drainage of rainwater, adding that public convenience remained the foremost priority.

He also advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and contact the relevant authorities in case of emergencies.

In Gujrat, Wasa said 20 emergency teams remained continuously engaged in drainage operations across the city's three operational zones, claiming that traffic continued to flow normally on major roads.

Punjab Housing Minister Bilal Yasin directed all relevant departments to remain fully mobilised to promptly address public complaints during the monsoon season and prioritise drainage operations in low-lying areas.

"With above-normal rainfall expected during this monsoon season, the drainage system across Punjab—including Lahore—is being made more effective and modernised," the provincial minister said.

 PMD warns of rising river levels in GB, KP

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Wednesday warned of a significant rise in water levels in rivers, streams and nullahs across the glaciated regions of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) due to accelerated snow and glacier melt, coupled with recent rainfall, cautioning that the prevailing conditions could trigger localized flooding and riverbank erosion.

FFD Lahore reports High Flood at Head Marala on River Chenab, with inflow/outflow at 253,912 / 236,912 cusecs. Riverine and low-lying areas should remain alert and follow official updates.#PMD #FFD #RiverChenab #HeadMarala #HighFlood #FloodAlert #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/NLswwTI5DK

— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) July 22, 2026

According to the PMD, real-time observations from the hydrometeorological monitoring network established for Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) monitoring in various valleys indicate that many snow-fed and glacier-fed watercourses are currently flowing at peak levels because of accelerated glacier and snow melt combined with recent rains.

FFD Lahore has issued a High Flood Advisory for River Chenab. High flows are expected to persist at Marala for the next 6–8 hours, while Khanki and Qadirabad may attain high flood level in 10–18 hours. Avoid riverbanks and follow official updates.#PMD #RiverChenab #FloodAlert pic.twitter.com/aE9eTVroyc

— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) July 22, 2026

The department warned that the prevailing hydrological conditions could lead to riverbank erosion, land degradation and localized flooding in vulnerable areas. It added that the current weather system may further increase the likelihood of medium- to high-level flooding in susceptible valleys and downstream regions.

The PMD advised all concerned authorities, district administrations and communities living near rivers and streams to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary movement near watercourses, closely monitor official weather advisories and stay prepared to respond promptly to any emergency situation.