Monsoon death toll climbs to 110 as NDMA warns of fresh flood threat

ISLAMABAD: The death toll from rain-related incidents across Pakistan has climbed to 110 since the start of the monsoon season, with hundreds injured and widespread damage reported, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to order authorities to mobilise all available resources to mitigate the impact of the unfolding weather emergency.

During a briefing to the prime minister on Tuesday, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said that 360 people have been injured in rain, flash flood and landslide incidents since June 26, while nearly 800 houses have been damaged across the country.

According to the NDMA, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded the highest number of fatalities, followed by Punjab, as heavy monsoon rains continued to batter several regions.

The authority also warned that rapid glacier melting in northern Pakistan could trigger flash floods and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) over the coming month, posing additional risks to vulnerable communities.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed all relevant departments to ensure maximum preparedness, instructing authorities to utilise all available resources, including advanced early warning systems, to minimise loss of life and property.

Pakistan experiences heavy monsoon rains annually from late June to September, with intense downpours frequently causing flash floods, landslides and widespread destruction.

Meanwhile, weather authorities have forecast another spell of heavy rainfall over northern and southern parts of the country during the next two days.

Earlier, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned that a strong monsoon system is expected to enter the country from July 29 and persist until August 5, affecting Islamabad, upper Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and the upper catchment areas of major rivers.

The PMD cautioned that the fresh weather system could trigger urban flooding, while significantly raising water levels in rivers, hill torrents and seasonal streams.

In response to the deteriorating situation, the Punjab Home Department has imposed Section 144 across the province for 60 days, banning swimming, bathing and unauthorised boating in rivers, canals and other water bodies to prevent further casualties.