Monsoon rains and floods kill 63 people in 24 hours across Punjab, Pakistan

Torrential rains in Pakistan’s Punjab province triggered widespread flooding over the past 24 hours. At least 63 people have died and 290 have been injured since the downpours began on the morning of July 16.

According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), most of the fatalities were caused by collapsing walls and buildings, while others either drowned or were electrocuted. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz declared a state of emergency in several areas of the province on July 17.

Authorities in Rawalpindi, adjacent to the capital Islamabad, declared July 17 a public holiday to keep residents at home. People living near the rising river flowing through the city have been asked to evacuate.

These recent deaths raise the nationwide toll to nearly 180 since the onset of the monsoon in late June. Over half of the fatalities were children.

Chakwal was the worst-affected region, receiving 423 mm (16.7 inches) of rainfall in just 24 hours, according to officials on July 17.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) stated that a rescue operation is underway in Chakwal to evacuate people trapped by flash floods, with support from the military and local administration.

The PDMA also reported that more than 125 houses were damaged in the Chakwal region.

Flooding affected several other regions, prompting emergency rescues by the army. Aerial rescue operations were carried out for 40 people stranded in Deras at Moua Biddar and Nakkan Kalan following severe flooding.

Punjab authorities have warned that further rainfall and flash floods are expected throughout the weekend. Thousands of rescuers have been placed on standby across the province.

Pakistan, with a population of over 250 million, is among the most flood-prone countries. Infrastructure vulnerable to flooding and poor drainage systems in many regions contribute to the severity of flood impacts.

In 2022, monsoon floods submerged one-third of the country, resulting in more than 1 700 deaths and causing damages exceeding 30 billion USD.

The floods began in June 2022, as heavy rainfall continued through August. By the end of August, the countrywide average rainfall reached approximately 400 mm (16 inches).

Sindh received nearly 700 mm (28 inches) statewide average rainfall during the monsoon, while Balochistan recorded a statewide average of nearly 330 mm (13 inches) by the end of August. This represented approximately 461 % above average rainfall for Sindh and 435 % above average for Balochistan.

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

• Rishav Kothari

  2025 Kamchatka earthquake rupture matched the 1952 great earthquake, study finds
• Rishav Kothari

  Red Flag Warning issued in parts of Alaska due to lightning threat
• Rishav Kothari

  Typhoon Mekkhala forecast to strengthen east of northern Luzon as monsoon hazards increase
• Rishav Kothari

  Severe storms and flash flooding forecast across the Plains, Midwest, and eastern U.S. through June 23