Pakistan has witnessed intense monsoon activity this month, with heavy rains triggering flash floods, roof and wall collapses, and electrocution incidents across the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast more rain in the coming days, prompting authorities to keep rescue teams on high alert.
At least 17 people, including children, were killed and 107 injured in rain-related incidents across Punjab since the latest monsoon spell began earlier this week, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
The PDMA said 12 of the deaths were caused by the collapse of old and dilapidated buildings, while two people were killed in lightning strikes and three died of electrocution.
Heavy rain lashed several parts of the province, including Lahore, over the past two days, causing urban flooding in many areas.
Authorities have warned that the current spell is likely to continue over the next few days and have urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from flood-prone areas.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed authorities to continuously monitor rivers, dams and barrages and ensure safety measures around seasonal streams, canals and low-lying areas.
In the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, 14 people, including six children, were killed and 19 injured due to heavy rains and flash floods, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority.
The affected districts included Peshawar, Nowshera, Khyber, Mardan, Buner, Bajaur, Shangla, Swabi, Lower and Upper Dir, Lower Chitral, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Torghar, Kurram and North Waziristan.
The PDMA said 28 houses were damaged, including six that were completely destroyed.
Rescue teams and district administrations were carrying out relief and rescue operations, while water levels in rivers and streams remained within normal limits.
(PTI)
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