Pakistan is facing one of its worst monsoon seasons in recent years. Since June 26, heavy rains and floods have caused serious damage across the country, killing at least 657 people and injuring more than 920, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Floods, lightning strikes, landslides, and collapsing houses have affected many communities.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is the hardest-hit province, especially remote mountain areas like Buner, which has seen the most damage and loss of life. Rescue teams have recovered 373 bodies so far in KP, with most from Buner district. The search for missing people continues.
On Monday, fresh rains made the situation worse in many parts of the country. Cities like Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi, and Mingora experienced heavy showers, causing water to enter homes and shops. In Buner, relief workers faced difficulties reaching some villages because a temporary bridge was close to collapsing. In Parachinar, flash floods damaged roads and river embankments, but no deaths were reported.
Read more : Climate Change in Pakistan: A call for action to prevent catastrophe
A tragic incident occurred in Nowshera’s Chakki Mamrez area when a roof collapsed during heavy rain, killing a husband and wife. The capital city of Peshawar also faced serious urban flooding, with many streets turning into rivers, blocking traffic and flooding houses and police stations.
In Punjab, cities like Multan, Jhang, and Khushab received heavy rain, causing floods in low-lying areas. Other parts of Balochistan and Azad Kashmir also saw thunderstorms and showers.
Flood warnings have been issued along the Indus River as water levels rise. Reservoirs like Tarbela Dam and Mangla Dam are filling quickly, with Tarbela almost full. Authorities are keeping a close watch and have asked people living near the rivers to stay alert and prepare for possible evacuations.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department predicts heavy rain will continue until August 19, with more rain expected after August 22. Areas at highest risk include parts of KP and nearby districts.
Out of the total deaths, 171 were children, 94 women, and 392 men. KP alone accounted for 390 deaths, showing how badly the province has been affected. Punjab reported 164 deaths, Sindh 28, Balochistan 20, Gilgit-Baltistan 32, Azad Kashmir 15, and Islamabad 8.
The NDMA is working with local governments to speed up rescue and relief operations. Lieutenant General Inam Haider, the NDMA chairman, warned that this year’s monsoon is about 50-60% stronger than last year, and more heavy rain spells are expected until early September.
Monsoon rains are important for farming and water supply in South Asia, but in Pakistan, they often cause landslides and flash floods that destroy homes and lives. Experts say climate change is making these storms stronger and more frequent. Human factors like building homes near rivers and blocking waterways with trash make the flooding worse.
Pakistan is one of the countries most affected by climate change and extreme weather. In 2022, floods covered a third of the country and killed around 1,700 people, showing how the problem is serious .
