Nearly 300 Dead as Monsoon Floods Ravage Pakistan Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts
Pakistan continues to battle devastating monsoon floods that have claimed the lives of at least 299 people - among them 140 children - since late June, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). More than 700 others have been injured in flash floods, landslides, and torrential rains sweeping the country.
The worst-affected region remains the eastern Punjab province, where 162 fatalities have been recorded, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 69 deaths. Several other regions including Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, and Azad Kashmir have also reported deaths and widespread damage.
The monsoon rains, crucial for replenishing water supplies but increasingly erratic due to climate change, have damaged or destroyed nearly 1,700 homes. In addition, hundreds of livestock have been lost, and thousands of residents displaced.
Since June 26, NDMA-led rescue operations have evacuated approximately 2,880 people from flood-affected areas and distributed tens of thousands of relief items including tents, ration bags, and hygiene kits. Authorities remain on high alert as forecasts warn of more heavy rains and flash floods through the first week of August, particularly in northern and central Pakistan.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has cautioned residents to avoid unnecessary travel in vulnerable areas where flooding and landslides could disrupt traffic and endanger lives.
As Pakistan grapples with this year’s severe monsoon onslaught, the government and relief agencies are mobilizing resources to support affected communities and prepare for further emergencies in the days ahead.
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