Pakistan Flood Disaster: At Least 54 Dead in 24 Hours as Monsoon Toll Nears 180

At least 54 people have died in the past 24 hours as relentless monsoon rains triggered widespread flooding and building collapses across Pakistan’s Punjab province, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed on Thursday.

The latest fatalities bring the monsoon season’s overall death toll to nearly 180 since it began in late June, with hundreds more injured and thousands displaced.

Heavy rains, which began lashing the region on Wednesday morning, continued almost uninterrupted for more than 24 hours.

The downpour overwhelmed drainage systems, flooded roads and low-lying neighborhoods, and led to the collapse of dozens of poorly built structures.

Rescue operations were launched at dawn, with emergency teams using boats to evacuate stranded families from inundated villages near the swollen Chenab and Sutlej rivers. By late afternoon, floodwaters had started to recede, offering some relief—but the damage was already extensive.

Local authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain on high alert, warning of continued rainfall in the coming days.

Disaster response agencies have been mobilized nationwide, and makeshift shelters have been set up for displaced families.

Monsoon rains are an annual occurrence in Pakistan, but poor urban planning, deforestation, and weak infrastructure often exacerbate their impact, leading to devastating human and economic losses.

According to the NDMA, climate change is contributing to more erratic and intense weather patterns, making disaster preparedness even more critical.