Since July 1, torrential rains have wreaked havoc across Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of at least 195 people and injuring 362 others, according to a report by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) released on Sunday, August 18, 2024. The ongoing heavy rains have caused significant damage to homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods throughout the country.
The NDMA report highlights that, in the past 24 hours alone, seven more deaths were reported—six in Punjab and one in Balochistan—bringing the total death toll to 195. In addition, 30 people were injured during the same period, with Punjab reporting the highest number of casualties.
The relentless downpours have also led to flash floods, which have severely damaged 2,293 houses across the country, including 1,559 partially and 734 completely destroyed. The rains have also affected over 44 kilometers of roads and 30 bridges, further exacerbating the situation.
Looking ahead, the NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) has warned that more monsoon rains are expected from August 18 to 19, which could lead to urban flooding in low-lying areas of cities such as Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, and Peshawar. The NDMA has urged all relevant authorities to take necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of these potential floods.
Monsoon season, which typically runs from June to September, often brings weather-related disasters to Pakistan. Experts believe that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of these events. Despite contributing less than 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change.
In 2022, catastrophic floods submerged a third of the country, claiming over 1,700 lives, displacing 33 million people, and destroying thousands of homes.