Monsoon Rains Across Pakistan Claim 23 Lives

The death toll from monsoon rains across Pakistan has been updated to 23. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 14 people have died and 19 others have been injured due to rain-related incidents.

Intermittent heavy rainfall lashed several cities in Punjab over the previous 24 hours, with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reporting significant precipitation. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) recorded 123 millimetres of rain in Lahore, a record 245mm in Gujranwala, and 95mm in Gujrat. Other cities also experienced heavy downpours, including Sialkot (139mm), Mandi Bahauddin (138mm), Narowal (117mm), Hafizabad (85mm), Chakwal (70mm), Okara (64mm), Jhang (35mm), Layyah (33mm), and Jhelum (32mm).

Since the start of the monsoon season in the province, at least 17 people have died in rain-related incidents. Of these, 12 deaths were caused by the collapse of buildings or other structures, two by lightning strikes, and three by electrocution. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif appealed to the public to avoid risking their lives near canals, rivers, and rainwater drains during the monsoon season and flood conditions.

Residents faced hardships due to accumulated rainwater on roads in major cities of central and northern Punjab. The Shamsi Underpass in Gujranwala’s Civil Lines area was completely submerged, making traffic impassable. In Lahore, rainwater accumulated in areas including Kareem Block Market, Johar Town, Township, Ferozepur Road, Multan Road, Samanabad, Gulshan-i-Ravi, Lakshmi Chowk, and Model Town. Social media users reported widespread road inundation and prolonged power outages in affected areas. However, WASA Lahore claimed that no water accumulation was reported on most major roads and intersections, stating that real-time monitoring of citywide drainage operations is being conducted from its monsoon control room.

Heavy monsoon rains have triggered a flood alert in Lower Dir, prompting authorities to take swift action to manage the situation.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has stated that rainwater was drained from affected areas within hours following the recent heavy monsoon spell.

The continued waterlogging in Lahore following heavy rains has reportedly exposed concerns regarding the performance of WASA (Water and Sanitation Agency).

Heavy monsoon rains lashed Lahore and parts of Punjab on Wednesday, causing urban flooding, traffic jams, and power outages. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast more widespread rain with strong winds for Wednesday evening and night, expecting the wet weather to continue for the next two days. Moisture-laden monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are penetrating upper Pakistan and are expected to intensify, with a westerly weather system also affecting upper and central regions. The PMD warns of potential urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Multan, and Faisalabad, and possible landslides in Murree and Galyat. Flash flooding is also possible in local streams and hill torrents. Rainfall data for the past 24 hours shows significant precipitation in Gujranwala (142mm), Mandi Bahuddin (138mm), Narowal (117mm), Sialkot (95mm), Hafizabad (85mm), Chakwal (70mm), Okara (64mm), and Gujrat (49mm). Separately, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an urban flooding alert, and a rain emergency has been imposed in Gujrat. Intermittent rain also continues in Islamabad.

Heavy monsoon rains have caused flooding in Hafizabad and its surrounding areas, with several localities submerged.

Heavy monsoon rains have caused a mosque to be swept away in Chiniot due to floods in Punjab. Additionally, Gujranwala has received 220mm of rain, breaking a 10-year record for rainfall in the city.

Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari has announced that the provincial government has completed all necessary arrangements for the monsoon season, following directives from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The government has undertaken significant measures to modernize the urban drainage system and enhance its capacity across the province.

WASA has now been established in all districts of Punjab, with 272 pieces of modern machinery provided to WASA operations in 15 districts during the first phase. An additional 694 machines are slated for supply across the province in the next phase, which is described as the largest WASA development program in Punjab’s history. Furthermore, construction work on 105 underground water storage tanks is progressing rapidly, with 82 tanks already completed and the remaining 23 in their final stages. The overall project is 78 percent complete, with the remaining storage tanks expected to be finished within the next 11 days. This initiative aims to improve rainwater management, enhance groundwater recharge, and strengthen long-term water conservation.

Light to moderate rain lashed various parts of Lahore on Tuesday, with the city’s rain-gauging stations recording an average rainfall of 25mm during multiple spells. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast further rain until July 24. Nishter Town received the highest rainfall with 86.4mm, followed by Johar Town with 51mm. A sinkhole developed on Khayaban-e-Firdousi, one of the city’s busiest roads, after heavy rainfall, disrupting traffic flow. Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) teams initiated restoration work.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert in view of the ongoing monsoon spell. She instructed Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners to closely monitor the rainfall situation across the province and ensure the availability of WASA machinery for timely rainwater disposal. The Chief Minister emphasized immediate drainage from both major and minor localities and warned against negligence. Field teams reportedly completed drainage operations within hours in districts including Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Mandi Bahauddin, with Gujranwala authorities draining a record 250 millimetres of rainwater. The Chief Minister is monitoring the situation via Safe City cameras.

Heavy monsoon rains have turned deadly in Pakpattan, where two children died in a roof collapse incident. Meanwhile, the Lahore administration has mobilized to address public issues arising from the post-rain situation in the city.

The monsoon spell has entered Pakistan, bringing heavy rainfall that has caused urban flooding and significant disruptions across several cities in Punjab. Lahore has been particularly affected, with various areas, including posh localities, submerged by rainwater, leading to traffic disruptions.

In Lahore, a factory roof collapsed in Gulshan-e-Ravi, trapping four individuals. Rescue teams successfully extracted the trapped people and transported them to a hospital. Additionally, an incomplete sewage project in Walton has reportedly compounded the problems for residents, with rain and sewage water on the roads making movement hazardous.

Rawalpindi also experienced severe weather, where a rainwater stream near Dhok Chha Dam overflowed, causing water to enter residential areas. Damage due to floodwaters has been reported in Burwala and Khanpur within the Rawalpindi region. Gujranwala has also received heavy rainfall.

The Meteorological Department has forecast that the current monsoon spell is expected to continue until July 24. Citizens have been advised to prepare for further rainfall and the potential for more urban flooding.

Pakistan News will update this story as more confirmed details become available.