ISLAMABAD (PEN) : At least 50 people have died in rain-related incidents across Pakistan over the last three days, as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issues warnings for continued heavy monsoon rains and potential flooding through July 5.
Rising Fatalities and Causes
The deaths have been reported from multiple regions, with causes including roof collapses, electrocution, and flash floods affecting both urban and rural communities. The ongoing pre-monsoon downpours are intensifying, posing serious risks to vulnerable populations.
PMD Issues Broad Weather Advisory
In its latest forecast, the PMD indicated that a strong monsoon system is expected to impact most parts of the country beginning Sunday. Heavy rainfall is anticipated in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan, Azad Kashmir, Islamabad, and the Potohar plateau.
The department highlighted the risk of urban flooding in key cities such as Lahore, Karachi, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Peshawar, and Islamabad. Additionally, low-lying districts including Attock, Chakwal, and Jhelum face the threat of waterlogging due to excessive precipitation.
In KP’s upper regions—Hazara, Malakand, Charsadda, and Nowshera—authorities have raised alerts for possible river flooding and landslides amid the heavy rains.
Government Response and Precautionary Measures
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged relevant officials to expedite all precautionary actions and ensure readiness for emergency situations. Local administrations have initiated evacuations in high-risk zones and are collaborating closely with relief agencies to support rescue operations.
Climate Vulnerability and Historical Context
Pakistan, with a population exceeding 240 million, remains highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters. Experts attribute the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events—including unpredictable monsoons, droughts, and heatwaves—to global warming.
The country’s susceptibility was starkly highlighted during the 2022 floods, which resulted in over 1,700 fatalities and caused damages estimated at more than \$33 billion. Those floods were triggered by intense monsoon rains combined with glacier melt, underscoring the urgent need for effective disaster management.
