Monsoon Rains Claim Lives in Pakistan

Authorities reported on Friday that nearly half of the 266 fatalities attributed to Pakistan’s unusually heavy monsoon rains were children, many of whom were on school holidays.

Mazhar Hussain of the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Agency (PDMA) stated that the majority of deaths occurred in Punjab, the province with the largest population, where monsoon rainfall has surpassed last year’s levels by 70%.

“Children are particularly susceptible in these conditions. They engage in activities such as playing in the water and bathing, which can lead to electrocution,” he told AFP. “This is why their proportion is higher, especially with schools and colleges closed for holidays in Punjab.”

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has reported a nationwide death toll of 266 since the monsoon rains began on June 26, with children accounting for 126 of these deaths.

The causes of death include flash floods, building collapses, lightning strikes, and drownings. Hundreds of individuals have also sustained injuries.

An agency spokeswoman indicated earlier this week that the most intense rainfall typically occurs later in the monsoon season.

“Such high casualty figures are generally observed in August, but this year’s impact has been notably different,” she noted.

The national disaster agency has issued warnings about potentially heavier rainfall in August.

A landslide triggered by heavy rains this week resulted in several vehicles being swept away in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, a popular tourist destination characterized by high mountains, deep valleys, and extensive rivers.

In late June, at least 13 tourists died after being caught in flash floods while seeking shelter on an elevated riverbank.

The monsoon season delivers 70% to 80% of South Asia’s annual rainfall, spanning from late June to September in Pakistan.

These annual rains are essential for agriculture and food security, sustaining the livelihoods of millions of farmers, but they also bring about significant destruction.

In 2022, monsoon floods submerged a third of the country, resulting in 1,700 deaths.