Deadly Floods Hit Eastern Pakistan as Rainfall Surges

At least 63 people have died in two days of flooding in Punjab, eastern Pakistan, as the country records 82% more rainfall than last July. Authorities have banned water activities and warned against travel to affected areas. Nearly 200 deaths have occurred nationwide since late June, with more heavy rain expected in the coming weeks.

Dozens of lives have been lost due to severe flooding in Punjab, located in eastern Pakistan, over the past two days. The country is currently grappling with an unusually intense monsoon season, experiencing nearly twice the amount of rainfall it recorded during the same month last year.

As of Thursday, the death toll had reached at least 54 within just 24 hours. By Friday, local media sources reported that the number of fatalities had climbed to a minimum of 63, reflecting the worsening situation on the ground.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported that overall, the country has recorded 82% more rainfall this month compared to July 2024. This figure is even more alarming in Punjab, where precipitation has been 124% higher than the same time last year, indicating the severity of the monsoon impact in the region.

Since June 26, nearly 200 people have been confirmed dead across Pakistan due to rain-related incidents, highlighting the widespread and deadly nature of the ongoing weather crisis. In response to the escalating danger, authorities on Thursday enforced a Section 144 directive, which prohibits bathing, swimming, or engaging in any water-related activities in open water bodies. This includes rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs, and any other areas where rainwater has accumulated, in an attempt to prevent further loss of life.

Dramatic scenes were captured on television showing army helicopters conducting rescue operations. One such instance involved the airlifting of three family members from the roof of their house, which had been surrounded by a sudden flash flood in the outskirts of Rawalpindi. This city lies adjacent to Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, and is situated along the Sawan River, making it particularly vulnerable to rapid flooding.

In light of the risk of landslides and road blockages, tourists have been strongly advised to avoid traveling to affected areas. The heavy rainfall in mountainous and hilly regions increases the danger of terrain instability and road closures, further complicating rescue and relief efforts.

On Friday, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported “medium-level” flooding in Kalabagh, a town located along the Indus River. In addition, four other locations were facing “low-level” flooding. According to a spokesperson from the PDMA, the monsoon rains, coupled with glacial melt, have contributed to the rising water levels in rivers across the region.

Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city, received “light to moderate” rainfall on Friday, as reported by the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA). Despite being spared from the most intense downpours so far, the city remains under close watch due to the possibility of heavier rain in the coming days.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued forecasts warning of more spells of intense rainfall over the coming weeks. A particularly heavy week-long period of rain is expected to begin next week, followed by continued rain through the latter part of August. These predictions suggest that the crisis may extend well beyond the current conditions.

This year’s flooding has revived painful memories of 2022, when catastrophic rains submerged nearly a third of Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,700 people and causing widespread destruction. Authorities have expressed concern that a similar disaster cannot be ruled out if current weather patterns persist.