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Torrential monsoon rains in Pakistan's Punjab province have killed at least 63 people and injured 290 in the past 24 hours, starting Wednesday morning, according to the National Disaster Management Authority. Most victims died due to collapsing buildings, with others drowning or being electrocuted.
The city of Rawalpindi, near Islamabad, declared Thursday a public holiday to keep residents safe at home. Authorities have urged those near a swelling river in the city to evacuate. The death toll since the monsoon began in late June has reached nearly 180 nationwide, with over half being children.
Pakistan, with a population of nearly 250 million, is highly vulnerable to climate change, facing both extreme heat and heavy monsoon rains. The country is also home to over 13,000 rapidly melting glaciers. In 2022, catastrophic floods submerged a third of Pakistan, killed 1,700 people, and caused over $30 billion in economic damage. The United Nations has called for global support to help Pakistan recover, citing its vulnerability to climate change and financial challenges.
