Torrential monsoon rains and flash floods have claimed at least 98 lives, including 20 children, and injured 185 others across Pakistan since June 26, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed on July 11 .
In the past 24 hours alone, eight fatalities and 27 injuries were reported in rain-related incidents.
Punjab recorded the highest number of deaths at 37, including 20 children, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 30 fatalities. In addition, Sindh and Balochistan experienced significant casualties from urban flooding, house collapses, electrocution, and lightning strikes.
Meteorologists forecast continued heavy rainfall from July 13 through July 17, with monsoon activity expected to persist into August in Punjab, KP, and Balochistan.
NDMA issues Urgent Flood Alerts for South Punjab, KP and Balochistan
The NDMA has issued flood and flash-flood warnings across South Punjab, KP, and parts of Balochistan through July 17. Authorities have urged residents to exercise caution and take preventative measures.
Districts at risk in Punjab include Multan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, DG Khan, Bahawalpur, and surrounding divisions, where flash floods and significant rainfall have already disrupted daily life. The NDMA has highlighted the possibility of medium to high water flows in torrents and nullahs, particularly in areas fed by the Pir Panjal range. In Punjab, rainfall is expected across districts including Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang, Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Lahore, Narowal, DG Khan, Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rainfall is expected to swell water levels in the Kabul River and its tributaries, including the Swat, Panjkora, and Kalpani streams. The NDMA warned that River Swat and River Panjkora may overflow due to heavy rainfall in their catchments.
Balochistan is forecast to receive isolated rains and thunderstorms from July 13 to July 17 in areas including Ziarat, Quetta, Khuzdar, and Dera Bugti, with local streams and nullahs likely to experience flash flooding, especially in torrents from the Kirthar Range.
“Authorities are advised to ensure the readiness of emergency teams, availability of machinery, and clearance of drainage systems. Tourists should avoid high-altitude areas, while residents in vulnerable zones must secure valuables, vehicles, and livestock, and keep essential supplies,” the NDMA said in its latest alert.
“District administrations, especially in northeastern and central Punjab, should deploy dewatering equipment to manage urban flooding. Citizens are urged to avoid flooded roads, low bridges, and causeways.”
Climate Change and “Urban Heat Island” Effect
Climate experts link the severity of these rains to unchecked urbanization and its associated “urban heat island” effect. Irfan Virk, Deputy Director at the Pakistan Meteorological Department, explained: “When your urban areas expand, the amount of concrete increases while tree cover diminishes,” Virk said. “This leads to higher temperatures. When high humidity and cold air interact in such conditions, the result is more intense rainfall.”
Relief and Rescue underway
Emergency teams remain active in the hardest-hit regions. The NDMA, collaborating with provincial disaster authorities, has distributed tents, blankets, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, rations, and more to displaced families.
A location-based SMS alert system has been launched to warn residents in flood-prone zones. The NDMA has urged residents to avoid low-lying areas, riverbanks, and flooded roads, and to keep emergency supplies and evacuation plans ready.
Pakistan, home to more than 240 million people, remains one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, according to global environmental indexes. The devastation of the 2022 monsoon season, which killed over 1,700 people and affected 33 million, is still fresh in public memory.