Heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan kill 54 people in 24 hours
[July 17, 2025]
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Heavy monsoon rains killed at least 54 people in
eastern Pakistan in 24 hours, bringing the total rain-related deaths in
the country to 178 over the past three weeks, officials said Thursday.
Rainfall has triggered flash floods and inundated several villages as
the country experiences 82% more rainfall this month compared to the
same period in July 2024, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said.
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Local residents carry a big bag as they walk through a flooded road
during monsoon rainfall, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Thursday, July 17,
2025. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed) |
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Since June 26, Pakistan has reported 178 deaths from Punjab,
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the northwest, Sindh in the south and
Balochistan in the southwest, officials said.
The 54 deaths in the past day occurred in Punjab province, which
received 124% more rainfall between July 1 and July 15 than the
same period the previous year, forecasters said.
Heavy downpours continued Thursday, flooding streets in several
urban areas including Rawalpindi and Lahore. Cloudburst in the
Jhelum district in Punjab triggered flash flooding, prompting
authorities to use boats to evacuate dozens of people.
The National Disaster Management Authority issued an updated
flood alert Thursday and urged local officials to remain on high
alert. Tourists were advised to avoid travel to affected areas
where rains could trigger landslides and block highways.
Television news footage Thursday showed an army helicopter
plucking three members of a family from the roof of their house
after they were stranded by a flash flood on the outskirts of
Rawalpindi city.
More rain is expected in the capital Islamabad,
Pakistan-administered Kashmir and other parts of the country,
the meteorological department reported.
Authorities have warned they cannot rule out a repeat of extreme
weather like the 2022 floods that inundated a third of the
country, killing 1,737 people.
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