As a result of heavy rains that fell for 24 hours in Punjab province of Pakistan, at least 63 people lost their lives, and over 290 were injured. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
According to official information, most of the deceased were trapped under collapsed buildings, while others died due to flooding or electrocution. In the city of Rawalpindi, near the capital Islamabad, Thursday was declared a public holiday to ensure people's safety.
Due to rising river water flowing through the city, residents in the surrounding areas were advised to evacuate. Since the monsoon season began at the end of June, the death toll across the country has approached 180.
It is emphasized that many of the victims are children. Several highways in Punjab have been closed due to flooding, and many flights have been canceled or delayed.
Provincial leader Maryam Nawaz announced on Thursday that a state of emergency has been declared in several areas. She wrote on social media that government agencies are working with all their strength and urged citizens to strictly adhere to safety regulations.
In Chakwal city, 400 millimeters of rain fell in the last 24 hours. Distributed photos and videos show rescuers searching for people stranded in flooded areas using boats.
Military helicopters are also patrolling over the flooded areas. Punjab officials warned that rain and flooding may continue during the holidays.
Thousands of rescuers have been put on standby across the province. Pakistan, with a population of over 250 million, is one of the countries most affected by climate change.
The country has two major weather systems: one that leads to heat and drought, and the other that brings monsoon rains. Pakistan has over 13,000 glaciers, which are melting at a rapid pace.
In 2022, monsoon floods that submerged a third of the country resulted in over 1,700 deaths and caused more than $30 billion in economic damage. In 2023, the UN Secretary-General called on the international community to assist Pakistan and described the country as a victim of climate change and the injustices of the global financial system.
