Pakistan: 657 people lost their lives during current monsoon spell

In Pakistan, at least 657 people have lost their lives during the current monsoon season in rain-related incidents, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). A large-scale rescue operation is continuing after flash floods and cloudbursts, and a large number of people are still missing in the areas devastated by the worst floods in recent years.

Rescue officials said on Sunday that over 850 people have been rescued and moved to safer places, while 181 bodies have been recovered in the Buner district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Meanwhile, rescue operations entered their third day after severe flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, with the death toll rising to 323, including 217 deaths in the Buner district alone. Hundreds of people have been injured, along with severe damage to infrastructure, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said.

The latest wave of flash floods three days ago has killed over 350 people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. According to NDMA, 657 casualties have been reported from different areas of Pakistan as a result of widespread rains, flash floods, and other related incidents since June 26. During this period, 929 people have been injured. The NDMA said it was working closely with provincial authorities to accelerate relief and rescue efforts in the worst-affected areas.

According to official data, of those killed, 171 were children and 94 were women, while 392 men also lost their lives in different areas of the country. Among those killed, 390 were from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. In Pakistan’s Punjab province, 164 people were killed in rain-related incidents.

During the ongoing monsoon season, Sindh province has recorded 28 deaths. As per NDMA figures, 20 people have lost their lives in Balochistan province. In the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan, 32 deaths were recorded, while 15 people lost their lives in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The authorities have been asked to remain vigilant amid a fresh spell of monsoon rains which is expected to last until August 21; the spell is likely to cause torrential rains across the country along with thunder and windstorms. The new spell coincides with a warning of heavy flooding in Punjab’s rivers due to rising water levels caused by heavy monsoon rains and glacial melt in the northern areas of the country.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported widespread rains. It warned that the downpour could generate flash floods in rivers and streams in different parts of the country. It also warned people to remain vigilant during the next few days. According to officials in the worst-affected Buner district, at least 209 people are still missing.