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Egypt Independent
8 hours ago
- Climate
- Egypt Independent
Children make up half of more than 170 killed in Pakistan floods
Islamabad, Pakistan CNN — Relentless floods have claimed the lives of more than 170 people in eastern Pakistan, about half of them children, in the latest catastrophe that underscores the country's vulnerability to the escalating climate crisis. At least 54 of the deaths came in the past 24 hours, according to the National Disaster Management Authority, after torrential rains swept through the most populous province of Punjab, collapsing homes and destroying roads. At least 85 children have been killed since flooding began on June 26, the NDMA said. Fears are now mounting for children, who are particularly vulnerable to the risk of drowning and catching life-threatening illnesses from waterborne diseases, aid agencies warn. A state of emergency has been declared in several districts across the province, authorities said, and the military has been deployed in the city of Rawalpindi to deal with rising flood levels. Video shared by Punjab's Disaster Management Authority shows dramatic rescues as floodwaters submerge entire fields and roads. In one, first responders can be seen carrying children to safety in an inflatable raft. Heavy rainfall continues to batter Rawalpindi and the nearby capital Islamabad, with multiple areas recording more than 100 millimeters on Thursday, according to Pakistan's Meteorological Department. More heavy rain is expected Friday, it added. Mahar Hammad, a resident of Sargodha district in Punjab, told CNN he has been 'severely affected' by the floods. A daily wage worker who sells vegetables, Hammad said the floods have set him back financially. The roof of his house is broken and water has started seeping in because of the rain, he said. 'I've had huge losses. I was selling vegetables, and everything got submerged in water. I'm just a working person – I work all day just to earn 1,000 rupees ($4), and even that now goes into losses,' he said. Seven flood relief camps have been set up across the country, providing food, water, medicine and shelter to those affected by the deluge. Motorists drive through a flooded road caused by heavy monsoon rains, in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, June 29, 2025. K.M. Chaudary/AP Pakistan is on the front line of the human-induced climate crisis. The nation of more than 230 million is battered by two powerful weather systems – one that drives scorching heat and drought, and another that unleashes relentless monsoon rains. 'This is not just 'bad weather' – it's a symptom of an accelerating climate crisis,' said Pakistani senator and former minister for climate and environment Sherry Rehman on X. 'How many more wake-up calls before we build real resilience and readiness into our urban planning?' Persistent heatwaves this year accelerated glacial melt in the country's north, causing flash floods earlier this year. Deadly floods from torrential rains in the monsoon months make frequent headlines in the South Asian nation. This year's downpour has revived memories of record-breaking floods from three years ago. Pakistan experienced the worst floods in its history in 2022 in which a third of the country was submerged from heavy rains, killing more than 1,000 people. The force of the floodwater washed away homes, leaving tens of thousands on the road without any food to eat or clean water to drink. As the floodwater began to recede, a plethora of water-related diseases began to infect thousands – many of them children. Parents desperately tried to seek help as their children became infected with dysentery, dengue fever and malaria. Some four million children were still left without access to safe water a year later, according to UNICEF.
Egypt Independent
11 hours ago
- Climate
- Egypt Independent
Children make up half of more than 170 killed in Pakistan floods
Islamabad, Pakistan CNN — Relentless floods have claimed the lives of more than 170 people in eastern Pakistan, about half of them children, in the latest catastrophe that underscores the country's vulnerability to the escalating climate crisis. At least 54 of the deaths came in the past 24 hours, according to the National Disaster Management Authority, after torrential rains swept through the most populous province of Punjab, collapsing homes and destroying roads. At least 85 children have been killed since flooding began on June 26, the NDMA said. Fears are now mounting for children, who are particularly vulnerable to the risk of drowning and catching life-threatening illnesses from waterborne diseases, aid agencies warn. A state of emergency has been declared in several districts across the province, authorities said, and the military has been deployed in the city of Rawalpindi to deal with rising flood levels. Video shared by Punjab's Disaster Management Authority shows dramatic rescues as floodwaters submerge entire fields and roads. In one, first responders can be seen carrying children to safety in an inflatable raft. Heavy rainfall continues to batter Rawalpindi and the nearby capital Islamabad, with multiple areas recording more than 100 millimeters on Thursday, according to Pakistan's Meteorological Department. More heavy rain is expected Friday, it added. Mahar Hammad, a resident of Sargodha district in Punjab, told CNN he has been 'severely affected' by the floods. A daily wage worker who sells vegetables, Hammad said the floods have set him back financially. The roof of his house is broken and water has started seeping in because of the rain, he said. 'I've had huge losses. I was selling vegetables, and everything got submerged in water. I'm just a working person – I work all day just to earn 1,000 rupees ($4), and even that now goes into losses,' he said. Seven flood relief camps have been set up across the country, providing food, water, medicine and shelter to those affected by the deluge. Motorists drive through a flooded road caused by heavy monsoon rains, in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, June 29, 2025. K.M. Chaudary/AP Pakistan is on the front line of the human-induced climate crisis. The nation of more than 230 million is battered by two powerful weather systems – one that drives scorching heat and drought, and another that unleashes relentless monsoon rains. 'This is not just 'bad weather' – it's a symptom of an accelerating climate crisis,' said Pakistani senator and former minister for climate and environment Sherry Rehman on X. 'How many more wake-up calls before we build real resilience and readiness into our urban planning?' Persistent heatwaves this year accelerated glacial melt in the country's north, causing flash floods earlier this year. Deadly floods from torrential rains in the monsoon months make frequent headlines in the South Asian nation. This year's downpour has revived memories of record-breaking floods from three years ago. Pakistan experienced the worst floods in its history in 2022 in which a third of the country was submerged from heavy rains, killing more than 1,000 people. The force of the floodwater washed away homes, leaving tens of thousands on the road without any food to eat or clean water to drink. As the floodwater began to recede, a plethora of water-related diseases began to infect thousands – many of them children. Parents desperately tried to seek help as their children became infected with dysentery, dengue fever and malaria. Some four million children were still left without access to safe water a year later, according to UNICEF.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Dozens of children among at least 178 people killed in Pakistan rains and floods
At least 178 people have been killed across Pakistan in the past three weeks as relentless monsoon rains inundate towns, destroy homes, and displace thousands. Officials say at least 63 people died in Punjab alone in just 24 hours between Wednesday and Thursday, most of them crushed under collapsing buildings, while others drowned or were electrocuted. The death toll includes more than 85 children, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said. On Thursday, Rawalpindi, a city adjacent to the capital Islamabad, declared a public holiday, asking residents to stay indoors and urging evacuations along the riverbanks as water levels surged. A state of emergency has also been declared in several parts of Punjab, where floodwaters have swept through urban centres like Lahore and Sargodha and forced military deployment in the worst-hit districts. In Chakwal, which recorded 400mm of rain in a single day, rescue boats were seen navigating through submerged neighbourhoods. Videos shared by Punjab's disaster agency showed children being carried to safety in inflatable rafts, and army helicopters circling overhead in search of stranded families. Mahar Hammad, a vegetable vendor in Sargodha, told CNN that the flood destroyed both his home and his livelihood. 'I've had huge losses. Everything got submerged in water. I work all day just to earn 1,000 rupees ($4), and even that now goes into losses,' he said. A family in Rawalpindi had to be airlifted by military helicopter after they were trapped on the roof of their home. In Jhelum, flash floods triggered by a cloudburst led to rapid evacuations by boat. Pakistan's meteorological department said the country has received 82 per cent more rainfall this July compared to the same period last year. In Punjab, rainfall was 124 per cent above normal between 1 and 15 July, with Seosan experiencing a rare cloudburst that poured nearly 115mm in just one hour. Dozens of expressways in Punjab have been shut, with flights cancelled or delayed at several airports. Schools and nurseries in the most affected regions have also been closed. The NDMA has warned that further extreme weather is likely, with heavy rainfall forecast for Islamabad, Pakistan-administered Kashmir and parts of Balochistan and Sindh through the weekend. Thousands of emergency personnel remain on standby, and at least seven relief camps have been set up to provide food, shelter and medicine. Authorities have warned they cannot rule out a repeat of extreme weather like the 2022 floods that inundated a third of the country, killing 1,737 people. 'This is not just 'bad weather' – it's a symptom of an accelerating climate crisis,' Pakistani senator and former climate minister Sherry Rehman posted on X. Floods have been wreaking havoc all across South Asia, with dozens swept away in Nepal and landslides and floods killing dozens in India. A total of 109 deaths were recorded between 20 June and 16 July 16 in India's Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh. Pakistan is home to over 7,000 glaciers feeding the Indus basin, but accelerated melting caused by the climate crisis has dramatically increased flash flood risks.
CNN
4 days ago
- Climate
- CNN
Children make up half of more than 170 killed in Pakistan floods
Relentless floods have claimed the lives of more than 170 people in eastern Pakistan, about half of them children, in the latest catastrophe that underscores the country's vulnerability to the escalating climate crisis. At least 54 of the deaths came in the past 24 hours, according to the National Disaster Management Authority, after torrential rains swept through the most populous province of Punjab, collapsing homes and destroying roads. At least 85 children have been killed since flooding began on June 26, the NDMA said. Fears are now mounting for children, who are particularly vulnerable to the risk of drowning and catching life-threatening illnesses from waterborne diseases, aid agencies warn. A state of emergency has been declared in several districts across the province, authorities said, and the military has been deployed in the city of Rawalpindi to deal with rising flood levels. Video shared by Punjab's Disaster Management Authority shows dramatic rescues as floodwaters submerge entire fields and roads. In one, first responders can be seen carrying children to safety in an inflatable raft. Heavy rainfall continues to batter Rawalpindi and the nearby capital Islamabad, with multiple areas recording more than 100 millimeters on Thursday, according to Pakistan's Meteorological Department. More heavy rain is expected Friday, it added. Mahar Hammad, a resident of Sargodha district in Punjab, told CNN he has been 'severely affected' by the floods. A daily wage worker who sells vegetables, Hammad said the floods have set him back financially. The roof of his house is broken and water has started seeping in because of the rain, he said. 'I've had huge losses. I was selling vegetables, and everything got submerged in water. I'm just a working person – I work all day just to earn 1,000 rupees ($4), and even that now goes into losses,' he said. Seven flood relief camps have been set up across the country, providing food, water, medicine and shelter to those affected by the deluge. Pakistan is on the front line of the human-induced climate crisis. The nation of more than 230 million is battered by two powerful weather systems – one that drives scorching heat and drought, and another that unleashes relentless monsoon rains. 'This is not just 'bad weather' – it's a symptom of an accelerating climate crisis,' said Pakistani senator and former minister for climate and environment Sherry Rehman on X. 'How many more wake-up calls before we build real resilience and readiness into our urban planning?' Persistent heatwaves this year accelerated glacial melt in the country's north, causing flash floods earlier this year. Deadly floods from torrential rains in the monsoon months make frequent headlines in the South Asian nation. This year's downpour has revived memories of record-breaking floods from three years ago. Pakistan experienced the worst floods in its history in 2022 in which a third of the country was submerged from heavy rains, killing more than 1,000 people. The force of the floodwater washed away homes, leaving tens of thousands on the road without any food to eat or clean water to drink. As the floodwater began to recede, a plethora of water-related diseases began to infect thousands – many of them children. Parents desperately tried to seek help as their children became infected with dysentery, dengue fever and malaria. Some four million children were still left without access to safe water a year later, according to UNICEF.
CNN
4 days ago
- Climate
- CNN
Children make up half of more than 170 killed in Pakistan floods
Relentless floods have claimed the lives of more than 170 people in eastern Pakistan, about half of them children, in the latest catastrophe that underscores the country's vulnerability to the escalating climate crisis. At least 54 of the deaths came in the past 24 hours, according to the National Disaster Management Authority, after torrential rains swept through the most populous province of Punjab, collapsing homes and destroying roads. At least 85 children have been killed since flooding began on June 26, the NDMA said. Fears are now mounting for children, who are particularly vulnerable to the risk of drowning and catching life-threatening illnesses from waterborne diseases, aid agencies warn. A state of emergency has been declared in several districts across the province, authorities said, and the military has been deployed in the city of Rawalpindi to deal with rising flood levels. Video shared by Punjab's Disaster Management Authority shows dramatic rescues as floodwaters submerge entire fields and roads. In one, first responders can be seen carrying children to safety in an inflatable raft. Heavy rainfall continues to batter Rawalpindi and the nearby capital Islamabad, with multiple areas recording more than 100 millimeters on Thursday, according to Pakistan's Meteorological Department. More heavy rain is expected Friday, it added. Mahar Hammad, a resident of Sargodha district in Punjab, told CNN he has been 'severely affected' by the floods. A daily wage worker who sells vegetables, Hammad said the floods have set him back financially. The roof of his house is broken and water has started seeping in because of the rain, he said. 'I've had huge losses. I was selling vegetables, and everything got submerged in water. I'm just a working person – I work all day just to earn 1,000 rupees ($4), and even that now goes into losses,' he said. Seven flood relief camps have been set up across the country, providing food, water, medicine and shelter to those affected by the deluge. Pakistan is on the front line of the human-induced climate crisis. The nation of more than 230 million is battered by two powerful weather systems – one that drives scorching heat and drought, and another that unleashes relentless monsoon rains. 'This is not just 'bad weather' – it's a symptom of an accelerating climate crisis,' said Pakistani senator and former minister for climate and environment Sherry Rehman on X. 'How many more wake-up calls before we build real resilience and readiness into our urban planning?' Persistent heatwaves this year accelerated glacial melt in the country's north, causing flash floods earlier this year. Deadly floods from torrential rains in the monsoon months make frequent headlines in the South Asian nation. This year's downpour has revived memories of record-breaking floods from three years ago. Pakistan experienced the worst floods in its history in 2022 in which a third of the country was submerged from heavy rains, killing more than 1,000 people. The force of the floodwater washed away homes, leaving tens of thousands on the road without any food to eat or clean water to drink. As the floodwater began to recede, a plethora of water-related diseases began to infect thousands – many of them children. Parents desperately tried to seek help as their children became infected with dysentery, dengue fever and malaria. Some four million children were still left without access to safe water a year later, according to UNICEF.
