At least eight people were killed and more than two dozen injured in rain-related incidents across Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab provinces in the last 24 hours, authorities reported on Thursday. The fatalities and injuries resulted from collapsing walls and roofs due to torrential rains and gusty winds that lashed several districts after weeks of intense heat.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Six Dead, 19 Injured
According to the KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), six people died and 19 sustained injuries from roof and wall collapses caused by heavy rains, wind, and flash floods. The deceased included two men, three children, and a woman, while the injured comprised seven men, a woman, and 11 children. A total of 38 houses were damaged, with two completely destroyed. Incidents occurred in Khyber, Lower Dir, Mardan, Shangla, Bajaur, Lower Chitral, and Upper Dir districts.
Punjab: Two Dead, Nine Injured
In Punjab, two people were killed and nine others injured as walls, roofs, and billboards collapsed due to rain and wind, said Rescue 1122 spokesperson Farooq Ahmed. The incidents were reported in Attock, Khushab, Sargodha, and Sheikhupura districts. "The seriously injured persons were shifted to nearby hospitals after being given immediate medical aid," Ahmed stated.
Monsoon Spell Forecast and Preparedness
Weather authorities forecast the first organized monsoon spell of the season from July 1-6, warning of heavy rainfall, localized flash floods, and urban flooding across large parts of the country. This follows successive years of devastating monsoon disasters. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to complete advance preparations for an emergency fund to respond to monsoon-related disasters, his office said on Wednesday.
Context of Climate Vulnerability
Pakistan remains highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, which scientists attribute to human-driven climate change effects. Catastrophic monsoon floods in 2022 killed more than 1,700 people, affected 33 million, and caused economic losses exceeding $30 billion, making it one of the country's worst climate disasters. Last year's monsoon season also triggered widespread flooding that killed more than 1,000 people and damaged homes, infrastructure, and farmland, mainly in Punjab. Torrential rains in late March and early April this year resulted in a nationwide death toll crossing 80.
