The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has confirmed that 657 people have died during the current monsoon season so far, and 929 injured in various incidents.As per official statistics released on Monday, since June 26, at least 657 people have died in rain-related incidents across Pakistan – 171 children, 94 women, and 392 men. The highest number of casualties has been reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where 390 people have died so far, with hundreds injured or missing.

In Punjab, 164 people have died in rain-related incidents, with children making up the largest proportion 70. In Sindh, 28 deaths have been recorded, while Balochistan has reported 20 deaths. Thirty-two people have died in Gilgit-Baltistan, and 15 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including five children and as many women.The NDMA has issued an emergency alert for various districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Balochistan after the Pakistan Meteorological Department forecast further rainfall. 

According to the alert, an active weather system is currently present over Pakistan, which could lead to more heavy rains starting today (Monday). In Islamabad, intermittent thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are expected. In Punjab, especially the Pothohar region and northeastern districts — including Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Hafizabad, and Mandi Bahauddin — heavy rainfall is expected which could cause urban flooding.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, thunderstorms and heavy rains are forecast in Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, and Swabi, while southern districts — including D.I. Khan, Tank, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Karak, and Kohat — may also receive heavy showers. Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bagh, Haveli, Kotli, Mirpur, and Bhimber areas of Azad Kashmir are likely to experience strong winds and thunderstorms, increasing the risk of landslides and flooding in mountainous regions. 

In Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Ghizer, Diamer, Astore, Ghanche, and Shigar, rains are expected, potentially triggering floods and landslides in various parts of the valley. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday forecast three more severe monsoon spells and warned that the intensity of rainfall would be 50 percent higher than before which would enhance risk of urban flooding including in Lahore and Rawalpindi.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)