Pakistan’s death toll from this year’s heavy monsoon rains has risen to 802, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). More than 1,000 people have been injured, while thousands of houses, roads, and farmlands have suffered severe damage.
The highest number of casualties has been reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with 479 deaths. Punjab follows with 165 fatalities, while Gilgit-Baltistan, Sindh, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Islamabad also recorded losses. Among the victims were 480 men, 119 women, and over 200 children.
Rescue and evacuation efforts remain underway across affected regions. The NDMA confirmed that over 174,000 people were evacuated from flood-hit areas of Punjab after the River Sutlej overflowed. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to ensure timely delivery of food, medical supplies, and tents. Advance warnings helped limit casualties in some areas, although flooding continues in major rivers including the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej.
The disaster has been worsened by the release of additional water from India into Pakistan’s rivers. This surge led to breaches in several districts, damaging crops, schools, and homes. In Sialkot, more than 300 millimetres of rain fell within 24 hours, breaking an 11-year record.
Tragedy struck many families. In Buner, the Sikh community lost its only cremation ground. In Chagharzai, 18 members of one family were buried after being swept away, while in Shangla nine members of another family died in flash floods.
The prime minister highlighted that Pakistan is among the countries most affected by climate change. He recalled the devastating 2022 floods and stressed the urgent need for global cooperation. Lawmakers, however, criticised NDMA’s preparedness, pointing to inadequate early warning systems and lack of planning.
Experts warn that more rainfall is expected in the coming days, raising fears of further damage. With rivers still swollen and thousands displaced, the crisis remains far from over.
Stay updated on the latest flood alerts and river warnings in Pakistan. Read the full report on India Alerts Rival Pakistan About Possible Flooding Amid Heavy Monsoon Rains.
