Monsoon havoc kills 13 more in 24 hours, pushing death toll to 216
Torrential downpours trigger flooding and structural collapses.
12 more deaths reported in Punjab, one in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Floods, lightning strikes, landslides behind deaths: NDMA.
The country’s disaster watchdog said on Sunday that at least 13 more people succumbed to rain-flood-related accidents during the last 24 hours as heavy monsoons continue to lash parts of Pakistan.
The latest deaths bring the tally of total lives lost since June 26 to at least 216, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The torrential downpours triggered flooding and structural collapses, with most deaths resulting from the roofs of poorly built homes giving way.
At least 12 deaths were reported in Punjab and one in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Among the victims were four children and three women, as per the NDMA handout.
Punjab alone has reported 135 deaths, followed by 42 in KP, 21 in Sindh, 16 in Balochistan, and one each in Islamabad and Azad Kashmir.
Since the start of this deadly spell, 101 children have died.
The NDMA said most of the deaths were caused by collapsed homes, sudden floods, lightning strikes, drowning, and landslides.
Many families living in vulnerable structures had little chance once the rains hit.
Over 580 people have been injured so far, including 20 in the past day (Saturday). The injured include 227 men, 163 women, and 192 children.
The statement adds that nearly 800 homes have been destroyed since the rains began, while close to 200 livestock have reportedly drowned in the floodwaters.
Rescue and relief efforts are ongoing, but with more rainfall forecast in the coming days, disaster management authorities have strongly advised citizens to take precautions, especially those in flood-prone or low-lying areas.
Monsoon rains are a routine part of South Asia’s climate and are essential for crop irrigation and replenishing water supplies.
However, their adverse impact has worsened in recent years due to rapid urban expansion, poor drainage systems, and more frequent extreme weather events linked to climate change.