Pakistan Monsoon Death Toll Hits 107 as New Rain Spell Looms
Pakistan’s monsoon death toll has risen to 107 after another 10 people were killed in rain-related incidents across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during a 24-hour period. The National Disaster Management Authority reported the latest casualties on Sunday as forecasts indicated that another spell of wet weather could affect the country’s upper regions from July 29.
Punjab recorded seven of the newly reported deaths, with two fatalities each in Gujrat and Okara and one each in Sargodha, Narowal and Sialkot. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, two people died in Hangu and another was killed in Shangla. Authorities attributed the deaths to collapsed houses, electrocution and drowning during heavy rainfall.
At least 47 people were injured across different districts of Punjab, while three more suffered injuries in Hangu. Since the monsoon season began on June 26, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has recorded the highest provincial toll with 55 deaths, followed by Punjab with 36. Azad Jammu and Kashmir has reported seven fatalities, Balochistan six, Sindh two and Gilgit-Baltistan one.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department said a fresh wet spell was expected from July 29 over the upper catchments of major rivers, Islamabad, upper Punjab, Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. The department said rainfall capable of generating major flooding was not expected before July 29, although scattered rain, wind and thunderstorms could continue in several regions.
Most major rivers were flowing at normal or low flood levels on Sunday evening, according to the Flood Forecasting Division. The Ravi was experiencing a medium-level flood with rising flows at Sidhnai, while the Indus was normal at some barrages and in low flood at others. The Jhelum and Sutlej remained normal, and flows in the Chenab had declined to low-flood levels at several monitoring points.
Despite the generally stable river situation, authorities continued to monitor the Ravi and Chenab because of their elevated risk rating. Punjab’s disaster management agency also reported a medium-level flood in the Basantar stream near Narowal and a high-level flood in Wazirabad’s Phalko stream, where water flow was measured at around 5,000 cusecs.
Provincial officials urged residents living in floodplains and other exposed locations to move to safer areas without delay. The disaster management authority said relief camps would provide essential facilities and medicines for affected communities. It also warned that continued rainfall could flood low-lying settlements, trigger landslides in mountainous districts and damage vulnerable mud-built houses.
Rainfall totals illustrated the intensity of the current spell, with 115 millimetres recorded in Noorpur Thal, 107mm in Gujranwala and 94mm in Gujrat during the latest 24-hour reporting period. Narowal received 68mm, while several other Punjab districts also recorded substantial rainfall. Lahore accumulated approximately 450mm over five days, increasing pressure on drainage systems and urban infrastructure.
The continuing monsoon emergency has implications for agriculture, transport, electricity networks, homes and local businesses across Pakistan. Rural communities near waterways face the risk of crop and livestock losses, while cities may experience road flooding, traffic disruption and power-related accidents. The growing casualty count has intensified demands for stronger early-warning systems and faster evacuation measures.
Authorities are expected to maintain round-the-clock monitoring of rivers, streams and vulnerable mountain areas ahead of the next predicted rain spell. Residents have been advised to follow official weather alerts, avoid swollen waterways and cooperate with evacuation instructions as emergency agencies prepare for further rainfall from July 29.