Pakistan floods kill over 60 as monsoon rains overwhelm Punjab province
Military-led rescue efforts underway amid widespread displacement and emergency alerts
PUNJAB, Pakistan (MNTV) – More than 60 people have died and nearly 300 others injured as relentless monsoon rains triggered deadly floods across Pakistan’s Punjab province, authorities said on Thursday.
A state of emergency has been declared in multiple districts as the scale of destruction deepens.
Punjab is the country’s most populous province and home to major cities like Lahore and Faisalabad.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed that 63 people were killed in the past 24 hours alone, with casualties reported from both urban centers and rural towns.
Lahore, the provincial capital, recorded the highest number of deaths, followed by cities including Faisalabad, Okara, and Sahiwal.
Authorities have announced compensation for the families of the deceased.
Provincial Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz described the rainfall as “unprecedented” and declared a “rain emergency” across large parts of Punjab. Residents have been urged to avoid travel, stay away from power lines and open drains, and follow guidance from rescue personnel.
In the city of Jhelum, located about 170 kilometers (105 miles) southeast of Islamabad, rescue teams supported by the Pakistani military are evacuating people stranded in floodwaters. Over 50 rescue boats are in operation, and more than 15,000 emergency workers have been deployed province-wide.
In Rawalpindi, adjacent to the capital Islamabad, floodwaters rose dangerously in a major drainage channel known as Leh Nullah, prompting authorities to issue evacuation alerts.
Though water levels later receded, the district government declared a public holiday and launched large-scale rescue and relief operations. A family stranded in floodwaters on the outskirts of Rawalpindi was airlifted by army helicopter.
Chakwal, a hilly district about 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Islamabad, was among the worst hit. A sudden cloudburst there caused flash floods after more than 400 millimeters (16 inches) of rain fell within 10 hours. Footage showed floodwaters sweeping through buildings, including a local emergency services office.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department warned of continued urban flooding in major urban centers like Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, and Faisalabad. Water levels in major reservoirs — including Mangla, Tarbela, and Khanpur — have also risen significantly.
The National Disaster Management Authority has forecast further heavy rainfall in the coming 24 hours, with alerts in place for the capital region and many cities across Punjab. Pakistan typically experiences monsoon rains between June and September, which often result in fatal floods, landslides, and displacement, particularly in poorly drained or densely populated areas.
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