Rawalpindi: Torrential monsoon rains in Pakistan have resulted in the deaths of 54 people in the past 24 hours, pushing the overall death toll to 180 since the monsoon season began on June 26, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The severe weather has predominantly impacted the Punjab province, where floods and house collapses have claimed dozens of lives, including 70 children. Additionally, around 500 people have sustained injuries due to the ongoing calamity.
According to Bahrain News Agency, thousands of residents have been evacuated from low-lying areas near a river in Rawalpindi as a precautionary measure. Authorities have also declared a public holiday on Thursday to reduce the risk to residents. The meteorological department has issued warnings that heavy rainfall is expected to continue over the next 48 hours, with the potential for further flooding.
Pakistan is among the countries most susceptible to climate change and has experienced an increase in extreme weather events in recent years. In 2022 alone, devastating floods affected more than 33 million people across the nation.