Monsoon Rains in Pakistan Claim Over 110 Lives Since Late June
Government data reveals electrocution as leading cause of fatalities, flash floods follow
Monsoon rains in Pakistan have been linked to more than 110 deaths including dozens of children since they arrived in late June, according to government figures released Monday.
Data from the national disaster agency between June 26 and July 14 showed that electrocution was the leading cause of fatalities, followed by flash floods.
In late June, at least 13 tourists were swept to their deaths while sheltering from flash floods on a raised river bank.
The disaster agency reported that 111 people, including 53 children, have been killed, with the highest number of deaths in the most populous province of Punjab.
Meanwhile, the national meteorological service has issued a warning for further heavy rainfall in the northern and eastern regions of the country, with the potential for urban flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage due to strong winds.
Monsoon season brings South Asia 70 to 80 percent of its annual rainfall, arriving in early June in India and late June in Pakistan, and lasting through until September.
The rains are vital for agriculture and food security but also bring flooding, landslides, and building collapses.
Pakistan is one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change impacts, with extreme weather events becoming more frequent.
In 2022, unprecedented monsoon floods submerged a third of Pakistan and killed 1,700 people; areas affected are still recovering from the damage.
Severe storms and hailstorms in May resulted in at least 32 deaths.