Heavy monsoon rains have unleashed devastation across Pakistan's Punjab province, claiming 63 lives and injuring nearly 300 people within 24 hours, authorities confirmed Thursday. The latest fatalities push the national death toll to 159 since late June, with poorly constructed homes collapsing under relentless rainfall emerging as a key factor.
Local disaster management officials reported widespread flooding in low-lying areas, with emergency teams working around the clock to evacuate stranded residents. The provincial capital Lahore saw record-breaking rainfall, submerging major roads and disrupting power supplies to thousands of households.
"Most casualties occurred when aging structures gave way during intense downpours," said Punjab Relief Commissioner Ahmed Kamal, highlighting infrastructure vulnerabilities. Meteorologists warn of continued heavy precipitation through the weekend, particularly in northern agricultural regions already grappling with crop damage.
The crisis underscores broader climate challenges facing South Asia, where monsoon patterns have grown increasingly erratic in recent years. With over 15 million people affected across Pakistan since June, relief organizations are calling for international support to address immediate humanitarian needs and long-term resilience planning.
