Heavy monsoon rains continue to batter Pakistan, raising the national death toll to 258, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). In the past 24 hours alone, six more people lost their lives and five others were injured due to rain-related incidents. The NDMA confirmed that three deaths occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, two in Islamabad, and one in Sindh.
The current spell of monsoon rains has caused widespread destruction across multiple provinces. Since the start of the season, 89 men, 46 women, and 123 children have died, while 616 people have been injured. These injuries include 243 men, 170 women, and 203 children, underscoring the severe impact on vulnerable populations nationwide.
Moreover, the rains have caused heavy damage to homes and livestock. In just the last 24 hours, 22 houses were destroyed and 36 animals died. So far, 1,027 houses have collapsed since the start of the season, while 364 animals have perished. These losses continue to mount as rains are expected to persist until July 26.
Punjab remains the worst-hit province, recording 139 deaths and 477 injuries. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa follows with 60 deaths, and Sindh with 24. Other affected regions include Balochistan (16 deaths), Islamabad (6), Gilgit-Baltistan (5), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (2), showing the nationwide reach of the disaster.
The leading cause of deaths has been house collapses, accounting for 143 fatalities. Flash floods, drowning incidents, lightning strikes, and electrocutions have also taken many lives. A tragic flash flood at Babusar Top claimed several lives, including that of Dr. Mishal, who died trying to save a three-year-old boy.
Despite the devastation, rescue operations have saved over 1,700 people across the country. From June 26 to July 24, the NDMA conducted 148 missions. Most rescues occurred in Punjab (1,543 people), with others in KP (116), Sindh (53), Balochistan (5), Gilgit-Baltistan (25), and Islamabad (35). Authorities continue urging the public to stay alert and follow safety instructions.