Deadly rains, flash floods claim 13 lives across KP, Punjab and Balochistan

At least 13 people have been killed in weather-related incidents as a powerful monsoon spell swept across parts of Pakistan, bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds and flash flooding, the 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Thursday.

According to the channel report, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Balochistan were among the worst-affected provinces, where severe weather caused widespread destruction and loss of life.

According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, six people have died after roofs and walls collapsed during heavy rain and storms. In a separate incident in Landi Kotal, two young men were killed when lightning struck the area.

In Punjab's Attock district, three people lost their lives after a house and a wall collapsed during torrential rainfall. The third floor of a building collapsed in the Baghbanpura area of ​​Lahore, killing an 8-year-old child and injuring four others.

Meanwhile, in the Zhob district of Balochistan, three people, including a woman and children, were killed when residential buildings collapsed. The severe weather also caused injuries and damage to property in the affected areas.

The adverse weather also caused disruption in other areas. In Murree, a power pole and several trees were brought down by strong winds. In Islamabad, a tree fell on a vehicle during heavy rain, damaging two cars.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department said the current spell of rain is expected to continue until 6 July and warned of further thunderstorms and heavy downpours in several regions.

Lahore experienced rain accompanied by strong winds, with heavy showers reported in areas including Iqbal Town, Kot Lakhpat, Township and Green Town. The rainfall provided significant relief from the intense heat that had gripped the city in recent days.

In Islamabad, Golra recorded the highest rainfall at 36 millimetres. Water levels in Katarian Nullah rose to five feet, while the level in Gawalmandi Nullah increased by one foot. Weather officials said intermittent rainfall is expected to continue in the federal capital throughout the day, with thunderstorms likely in some areas.

The Meteorological Department forecast that periods of rain would persist in Islamabad over the next two to three days.

Temperatures in the capital were recorded at around 25 degrees Celsius in the morning and are expected to reach 35 degrees Celsius during the day.

Last night's rainfall resulted in a temperature drop of between seven and eight degrees Celsius. Officials also reported wind speeds of around 13 kilometres per hour in Islamabad, while humidity levels remained above 55 per cent.

Further rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning is also expected in Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and upper parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as the monsoon system continues to affect large areas of the country.

According to the Meteorological Department, Karachi will witness a mix of sun and clouds and there will be drizzle this evening.

Yesterday, the TV channel reported that at least seven people were killed and 35 others injured in rain and lightning-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Balochistan, as authorities warned of looming flash floods, glacial lake outbursts and landslides in coming days.

Amid scorching heat, heavy rain and wind turned weather pleasant in Lahore, Gujranwala, Chakwal, Sheikhupura,  Narowal, Jehlum districts and twin cities on Wednesday. 

During rain, two brothers died and three others got injured in roof collapse in Attock’s nearby village Boota. The bodies of the two brothers were pulled out from under the rubble and shifted to DHQ Hospital. The deceased included 14-year-old Abdul Hadi and 17-year-old Ali Raza. The injured were identified as 10-year-old Majid, 13-year-old Hassan Ali and 15-year-old Osama. 

Amid rain, strong winds uprooted a tree in Islamabad's F-7 sector which fell on a parked vehicle, damaging its windshields and roof. Municipal teams later cleared the fallen tree.

In Balochistan’s Zhob district and surrounding areas, torrential rain and strong winds caused three separate house collapses, killing at least three people and injuring 10 others, rescue officials said. Meanwhile, severe weather caused casualties and infrastructural damage across multiple districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In the Khyber district, a fatal lightning strike during a heavy thunderstorm killed two children and injured three others, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). In Upper Dir’s Wari area, lightning struck an educational institution in the Asori Dara region, injuring 15 female students.

Reporters: Hashar Warraich and Aqsa Sheikh