Pakistan monsoon toll hits 279; Punjab hardest with 151 fatalities 1,500+ homes damaged

Relentless monsoon rains continue to sweep across Pakistan, driving the national death toll to 279 and leaving widespread destruction in their wake.

Authorities have reported eight new fatalities in the past 24 hours, as forecasts warn of further downpours through the end of July, Caliber.Az reports, citing Pakistani media.

According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), more than 676 people have been injured since the start of the monsoon season on June 28. Over 1,500 homes have been damaged, with hundreds more at risk as heavy rains persist.

Punjab has borne the heaviest losses, with 151 confirmed deaths and 536 injuries. Of the most recent fatalities, six were reported in the province, which is already struggling to cope with extensive flooding in both urban and rural areas. With further rain on the horizon, local authorities fear conditions may deteriorate further.

Elsewhere in the country, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has recorded 64 deaths and 80 injuries, while Sindh has seen 25 fatalities and 40 injuries.

Balochistan has reported 20 deaths, and the northern regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir have registered nine and two fatalities, respectively. Islamabad has confirmed eight deaths to date.

The toll on property and agriculture has also been severe. The NDMA reports that 1,553 houses have been damaged nationwide, including 362 in the past day alone. At least 374 livestock have perished, deepening the hardship for rural families who rely on farming for survival.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned of a new spell of heavy rainfall expected to impact several regions, including Punjab, KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir. Authorities are urging residents in vulnerable and low-lying areas to remain on high alert and to follow official guidance.

Emergency response efforts are underway, with support from the military, civil defence, and local governments. However, relief operations face mounting challenges due to flooded infrastructure, blocked roads, and continuing rainfall in affected districts.

While monsoon rains are essential for agriculture in South Asia, their increasing destructiveness has raised alarm.

Experts point to rapid urbanisation, poor drainage systems, and more frequent extreme weather events driven by climate change as key contributing factors.

Environmentalists are calling for urgent investments in disaster preparedness, including climate-resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and long-term planning to reduce the impact of future disasters.

By Aghakazim Guliyev