ISLAMABAD | July 24, 2025
Relentless monsoon rains continue to unleash devastation across Pakistan, pushing the national death toll to a staggering 252, according to updated figures released by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Wednesday.
What began as seasonal rainfall has turned into a nationwide crisis, cutting off communities, collapsing homes, flooding entire towns, and leaving thousands stranded across multiple provinces.
Punjab Bears the Brunt
Punjab remains the most severely affected, recording 139 deaths and 477 injuries. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has lost 60 lives, Sindh 24, Balochistan 16, Islamabad 6, Gilgit-Baltistan 5, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir 2.
The majority of fatalities have resulted from collapsing roofs and walls — often poorly built structures unable to withstand the pounding rains. Flash floods, drowning, lightning, electrocution, and landslides make up the rest of the grim tally.
Tragedy at Babusar Top
Among the most heartbreaking incidents occurred at Babusar Top, where a cloudburst triggered a deadly flash flood. A family attempting to save a three-year-old boy, Abdul Hadi, was swept away by the torrent. One of the deceased was Dr. Mishal, who jumped into the surging water to rescue the child — a tragic act of bravery that ended in loss.
In total, five people, including four tourists, were confirmed dead at the site. Rescue teams are still searching for 15 individuals believed to be missing in the area.
Roads Cut Off, Travellers Stranded
Key transport routes have been hit hard. The Karakoram Highway, a critical artery connecting Gilgit-Baltistan to the rest of Pakistan, has been rendered impassable due to landslides and flooding, particularly near Oshaar Nala Dasu. Thousands of travellers are stranded on both sides.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the escalating crisis and directed federal and provincial authorities to expedite rescue and restoration efforts. He has specifically ordered urgent work on the Karakoram Highway and Babusar-Chilas road, and called for food, water, and shelter to be provided to those stranded.
In Diamer, the devastation is personal and close to home. Entire neighborhoods of mud homes were swept away in the Thak Nala flood. Still, local residents — many of whom lost everything — rose to the occasion, joining forces with police and the district administration to assist tourists with food and shelter.
Urban Areas Hit Hard Too
In urban Punjab, the story is one of overwhelmed infrastructure and displaced families. Jhelum’s cricket stadium turned into a water basin. In Attock, stormwater flooded residential neighborhoods, while Hafizabad authorities ordered evacuations as floodwaters from the Chenab River threatened livestock and property.
Lahore, the provincial capital, received 108mm of rainfall, straining already clogged drainage systems and bringing parts of the city to a standstill.
Azad Kashmir and Islamabad in Crisis
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, flash floods and landslides have choked access to regions including Samahni, Jhelum Valley, Neelum Valley, Leepa, Bagh, Bhimber, and Poonch. A sudden cloudburst caused rivers to overflow, sweeping away a bridge and isolating several remote communities.
In Islamabad, a father and son were carried away by a flash flood earlier this week. Only parts of their car have been recovered. Rescue workers are now scouring the area from a local housing society drain all the way to Kak Pul, but their efforts are hampered by continued rainfall and the rising River Sawan.
A Nation Braces for More
With the monsoon season far from over, emergency services across Pakistan remain on high alert. Aid agencies, volunteers, and local communities are working round the clock — often with limited resources — to save lives and rebuild what’s been lost.
Yet, for many families, the monsoon has already left an unhealable wound.
