Heavy monsoon rains have caused the deaths of 54 people in the past 24 hours in Pakistan, raising the total death toll to approximately 180 since the monsoon season began in late June, according to the government’s disaster agency.
Since Wednesday morning, torrential rains have continuously battered parts of Punjab province, leading to widespread urban flooding.
Authorities have ordered residents living near a river in Rawalpindi, a city adjacent to the capital Islamabad, to evacuate due to a rapid rise in water levels.
A spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Authority told AFP that, as of 8:00 am Thursday (0300 GMT), 54 people had died and 227 were injured across the country, with most fatalities reported in Punjab.
Since June 26, the start of the monsoon season, around 180 people—including 70 children—have lost their lives, and roughly 500 others have been injured.
In response to the flooding, the Rawalpindi government declared a public holiday on Thursday to encourage people to stay indoors. The national meteorological department warned that heavy rainfall is expected to continue through Friday.
Officials advised residents in vulnerable areas to prepare emergency supplies, including food, water, and essential medicines, sufficient for three to five days.
Last year, devastating monsoon floods submerged a third of Pakistan and resulted in over 1,700 deaths.
