The death toll from monsoon rains and flash floods in Pakistan over the last month has surpassed 100, while weather forecasters warning that heavy rainfall is expected later this week across much of the country.
Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority said 109 people have died nationwide since 26 June. Many of the deaths were caused by collapsing houses and roofs, with nearly half of the fatalities reported in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province along the Afghan border, reports UNB.
The latest figures came a day after the disaster management authority reviewed flood preparedness measures across the country.
Officials discussed plans to issue timely warnings to communities living along rivers so that residents can voluntarily move to safer areas or be evacuated before floodwaters inundate their communities.
Heavy rain lashed parts of Pakistan last week, including Lahore, the country’s cultural capital, where several neighbourhoods were flooded and commuters were forced to take lengthy detours.
Images shared on social media showed residents wading through floodwater, drawing criticism from people who questioned the government’s preparedness and response to extreme weather.
Authorities have warned in recent months that they cannot rule out a repeat of the extreme weather that triggered Pakistan’s devastating floods in 2022.
The disaster submerged about one-third of the country, killed 1,737 people and displaced millions.
