Heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan’s Punjab province have killed at least 63 people and injured nearly 300 people within 24 hours, marking one of the deadliest days so far.
Provincial officials said this brings the total death toll from the rain to at least 159 nationwide since late June. More than half of the victims were children.
The torrential downpours caused floods and building collapses, with most deaths caused by weaker homes' roofs falling. Since June 25, more than 1,000 homes have been damaged.
In Punjab alone, the monsoon rains have killed 103 people and injured 393 since late June, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). More than 120 homes were damaged and six livestock killed.
Monsoon rains are regular in South Asia and essential for crop irrigation and replenishing water supplies. However, their adverse effects have worsened in recent years due to rapid urban expansion, poor drainage systems and more frequent extreme weather events linked to climate change.
In 2022, monsoon floods submerged around a third of the country, killing 1,7000 people and leaving Pakistan with economic damage exceeding US$30 billion.
