At least 63 people have died and close to 300 have been injured in the past 24 hours due to heavy monsoon rains across Pakistan’s Punjab province, according to provincial authorities. The latest toll brings the total number of deaths nationwide to at least 159 since the onset of the monsoon on June 25, Al Jazeera reported on July 17.

The torrential downpours triggered flooding and building collapses, with most fatalities resulting from roof failures in structurally weak homes. The eastern city of Lahore recorded 15 deaths, while Faisalabad reported nine. Additional fatalities were confirmed in the agricultural towns of Okara, Sahiwal, and Pakpattan.

Rescue teams were deployed to evacuate stranded families using boats, particularly in low-lying areas along rivers in southern Punjab. In Rawalpindi, where water levels in the Nullah Lai River rose sharply, residents were ordered to evacuate. The local government declared a public holiday to limit movement as a precaution.

Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Chakwal district reported widespread damage, including burst dams and stranded residents. Military helicopters were deployed to assist in emergency evacuations.

According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Punjab alone has recorded 103 deaths and 393 injuries since late June, with over 120 homes damaged and several livestock animals lost. Nationwide, the National Disaster Management Authority said more than 1,000 homes have been damaged during the ongoing monsoon season.

A high flood alert was issued for the Jhelum River near Mangla, with warnings that connected waterways could also overflow in the next 24 hours, placing nearby settlements at risk.

While monsoon rains are vital for agriculture and water resources in South Asia, their destructive impact has intensified in recent years due to rapid urbanisation, inadequate drainage, and more frequent extreme weather events driven by climate change, Al Jazeera noted.