At least 50 individuals, including eight children, have lost their lives in weather-related incidents caused by heavy monsoon rains that have been battering Pakistan for the past two weeks, according to officials, Al Jazeera reports.
A national disaster management official stated that the fatalities occurred across different areas of the country since the start of the monsoon season on June 25. Additionally, 87 people sustained injuries during the same period. The majority of the deaths occurred in Punjab province, primarily due to electrocution and building collapses. Local authorities, cited by the Associated Press, reported a death toll of 55.
In the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the bodies of eight children were recovered from a landslide in the Shangla district. Rescue operations are ongoing to locate other children who are believed to be trapped in the debris. The heavy rainfall also caused significant disruptions in Lahore, the second-largest city in Pakistan, leaving 35% of the population without electricity and water.
The weather forecast agency has warned of further rain in the coming days, raising concerns about potential flooding in the catchment areas of Punjab's major rivers. The recent downpours come a year after devastating floods impacted the country, resulting in numerous fatalities and extensive damage.
Scientists attribute the intensified monsoons to climate change, which is making seasonal rains more erratic and severe. Despite being responsible for a minimal share of global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan is highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of global warming.
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