Severe monsoon rains have plunged large parts of Punjab into crisis, leaving at least 103 people dead and nearly 400 injured as torrential downpours trigger flash floods, building collapses, and widespread devastation. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has released a sobering damage assessment as the province grapples with what officials are calling one of the deadliest monsoon seasons in recent memory.

In just the last 24 hours, 63 people lost their lives and 290 were injured, with the highest number of casualties reported in Lahore, Faisalabad, Okara, Sahiwal, and Pakpattan. Most fatalities were caused by the collapse of old and unstable buildings under the relentless weight of the rains.

In response to the unfolding disaster, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz declared a rain emergency across multiple districts. In a post on social media platform X, she confirmed that all government institutions had been mobilized and urged citizens to follow safety guidelines, remain indoors, and cooperate with authorities.

“Our top priority is the protection of lives and property,” she said, directing local administrations to issue alerts through sirens and announcements and keep citizens informed at all times.

The PDMA report also noted substantial infrastructure damage, including the destruction of 128 homes and the loss of livestock. Emergency relief efforts are ongoing, and the Punjab government has committed to providing financial compensation to the families of the deceased, along with quality medical care for the injured.

Meanwhile, Rawalpindi faces a severe urban flooding crisis. Water levels in Nullah Leh surged dangerously close to the evacuation threshold, prompting authorities to sound flood sirens at critical points like the Gawalmandi and Katarian bridges. Emergency services are on high alert as hundreds remain stranded in submerged low-lying areas.

Elsewhere in Punjab, Chakwal and its surrounding regions were battered by a record-breaking 423 mm of rainfall, leading to house collapses and the deaths of two residents, including a child. A flood emergency has been declared in Chakwal, Kallar Kahar, and Choasidan Shah, where rescue operations are underway and hospital resources have been reinforced.

Meteorological warnings remain in effect as continued heavy rainfall is expected to impact northern and central Pakistan, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir. Flash flooding, landslides, and road blockages are likely in hilly areas, while urban flooding threatens cities such as Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Sialkot.

Authorities continue to urge extreme caution, especially in structurally weak buildings and flood-prone zones, as emergency teams work around the clock to manage the unfolding disaster.