ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a warning for heavy rains and potential flash floods from Thursday night in the northern regions, as the total monsoon death toll nears 300, with a majority of the victims being children.
Torrential rains have continued to wreak havoc across Pakistan since June 26, claiming 291 lives, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Among the victims are 138 children. The NDMA said 698 people have also been injured, including 236 children.
“During tonight, heavy rains may generate flash floods in local streams of Dir, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Kohat, Karak, Hangu, Tank, Dera Ghazi Khan, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir,” the PMD said in its daily weather report on Thursday.
“Heavy falls, windstorm and lightning may damage weak structures like roof/wall of houses, electric poles, billboards, vehicles and solar panels etc during the forecast period.”
The Met Office added widespread rain with thunderstorms and gusty winds is also expected across eastern Pakistan today, affecting areas including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan and Bahawalpur.
Isolated showers are expected in northern and central regions on Friday, with heavier downpours likely in southern and western areas like Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh and Bahawalnagar.
Pakistan, which ranks among the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, has witnessed increasingly erratic weather events in recent years.
In May, at least 32 people were killed in severe storms, while a third of the country was submerged by devastating floods in 2022 that killed more than 1,700 people, affected over 30 million and caused an estimated $35 billion in damages.
