Severe monsoon rains have swept through Pakistan's Punjab province, leading to devastating floods that have claimed the lives of at least 57 people in two days, with a notable number of children among the victims, according to officials on Friday. The torrential rains, which began on Wednesday, struck various cities and rural areas alike, resulting in numerous building collapses. The National Disaster Management Authority reported that 24 children were among those who perished.
This disaster forms part of a broader trend of extreme weather events in Pakistan, where intense heat waves and catastrophic flooding have become more frequent in recent years, largely attributed to climate change. Since the start of the current monsoon season in late June, heavy rains have resulted in at least 180 deaths across the country, with a significant portion of the deceased being young children.
Chakwal, located approximately 60 miles from Islamabad, has been particularly hard-hit, with floodwaters submerging homes and destroying agricultural lands. Local farmer Malak Jamil described witnessing his farmland submerged with no clear path to recovery, facing losses exceeding $6,000. Access to many affected areas has been cut off, prompting the military to deploy helicopters for rescues.
As authorities issue evacuation orders for low-lying areas, they advise residents to seek higher ground. The Pakistan Meteorological Department anticipates a brief reprieve from the relentless rainfall. However, fatalities have also stemmed from electrocution incidents, and officials urge caution around downed power lines and water-logged electrical appliances.
The United Nations Children’s Fund has raised alarm about the life-threatening hazards children face during these floods, including drowning, diseases from contaminated water, and electrocution risks. Climate scientists have suggested that human-induced warming is intensifying rainfall, particularly during the monsoon months of July to September.
Pakistan's previous monsoon season in 2022 was one of the deadliest, resulting in over 1,700 fatalities, widespread displacement, and persistent recovery challenges for the affected populations. The increasing intensity of heat waves and accelerated glacier melt in northern Pakistan further heightens the flood risk, compelling officials to remain vigilant amidst the unfolding climate crisis.
