96 children among 202 people killed in rain incidents so far: NDMA

ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) disclosed on Saturday at least 202 people — including 96 children — had lost their lives across Pakistan since the onset of the monsoon season in June this year.

The official data painted a grim picture, with Punjab accounting for 123 of the total deaths. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa recorded 40 deaths, Sindh 21, Balochistan 16, and Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir reported one each.

The causes of death varied widely, with at least 118 killed due to house collapses, 30 from flash floods and others due to drowning, lightning strikes, electrocution and landslides.

The rains also injured more than 560 people, including 182 children.

In Rawalpindi, flash floods swept through homes, streets and markets, submerging entire neighbourhoods such as Dhamial, Hathi Chowk, and Morgah, Geo News reported.

In Tench Bhata and Fauji Colony, water levels rose dangerously — in some areas reaching rooftops — forcing residents to flee, leaving behind their belongings.

Among the victims was eight-year-old Hasan Ali, whose grieving father described the family’s shock over the sudden loss.

Faisalabad has also witnessed extensive damage, with 11 deaths and 60 injuries reported in 33 incidents over just two days. Most of the fatalities occurred due to the collapse of weakened structures. Many of the affected families stated they lacked the resources to repair their homes before the monsoon.

Heavy rainfall and landslides have destroyed infrastructure across Punjab. At least 32 roads in Chakwal were washed away after over 450mm of rainfall.

In nearby villages like Khewal, house collapses killed multiple people, including a father and son. Communication links remain severed, and the power supply is yet to be restored in several regions.

Rescue and repair work is underway. On the chief minister’s instructions, heavy machinery has been deployed to reopen blocked roads in Jhelum, Pind Dadan Khan, Kallar Kahar and surrounding areas.

In Rawalpindi’s Karoli Dhoke Bridge area, a rain-triggered road breach has been patched to resume traffic flow.

In Faisalabad, a rescue operation was launched at Mari Patan along the Ravi River, where rising water levels stranded four individuals involved in sand excavation using a crane at Tandlianwala. Rescue 1122 responded swiftly and safely relocated the workers. Authorities have warned the public to avoid riverbanks and report emergencies promptly by dialing 1122.

Additionally, in the village of Kanal Awan on Syedwala Road, Jaranwala, overflow from the Dekh drain due to excessive rainfall inundated nearby villages and agricultural fields. A family faced flood-like conditions and was safely evacuated along with their belongings by the Jaranwala rescue team.

A seven-year-old child was trapped in his house amid water due to flooding caused by heavy rains on the Fatiki Flyover, Kot Nikka Road in the Pindi Bhattian tehsil of Hafizabad district.

Rescue operations were immediately launched as soon as the Rescue 1122 control room received information about the incident. A boat and a rescue team were dispatched to the scene, which shifted the child and other people to safe places.