ISLAMABAD — The nationwide death toll from ongoing monsoon downpours has officially surpassed 100, reaching 107 fatalities since June 26, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). In its latest 24-hour situation report, the NDMA confirmed ten new casualties, including seven in Punjab and three in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), primarily caused by house collapses, electrocutions, and drownings. KP remains the worst-hit province with 55 deaths, followed by 36 in Punjab, seven in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), six in Balochistan, two in Sindh, and one in Gilgit-Baltistan. Additionally, at least 50 individuals sustained injuries across Punjab and KP over the past day. The relentless rains have wreaked havoc on infrastructure, prompting the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to urge immediate evacuations for citizens residing in vulnerable floodplains.
Looking ahead, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast a fresh wet spell commencing on July 29, which will impact the upper catchments of major rivers, Islamabad, upper Punjab, KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, and AJK. While most major rivers like the Indus, Jhelum, and Sutlej are currently flowing at normal to low flood levels, River Ravi has recorded a medium-level flood at Sidhnai headworks. Authorities have also placed the Chenab and Ravi rivers on high-risk alerts on the flood severity scale. Furthermore, severe localized flooding persists, with Wazirabad’s Phalko Nullah experiencing high-level flows of 5,000 cusecs and Narowal’s Basantar Nullah facing medium-level floods, compounding the challenges for local administrations as they brace for continued severe weather.
