24 killed in rain-related incidents in Punjab, toll 140 since first spell across Pakistan

Lahore | At least 24 people have died and over 150 injured in rain related incidents in Punjab province in the last 24 hours with the total toll climbing to 140 across Pakistan this season, an official said on Wednesday.

Intermittent rain continued overnight in Lahore and several other districts of Punjab and the current spell is expected to continue till Thursday, officials said.

“In Lahore, 12 people were killed in three roof collapse incidents caused by a thunderstorm during the night. This included five members of the same family, including young girls, in the Thokar Niaz Baig area of the city,” a spokesperson for the Rescue 1122 of Punjab said.

Three people lost their lives in Faisalabad, while three people, including a woman and two children were killed in Pakpattan.

One death each was reported from Sheikhupura, Bhakkar, Bahawalnagar and Shahkot due to roof collapses while two teenagers died in Okara.

Earlier on Tuesday, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) that has been tracking the rain-related losses, said a total of 116 people died in such incidents since June 26, when the first spell of the monsoon rain hit the country.

Of the 116 deaths, 44 were reported in Punjab, 37 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 18 Sindh, 16 Balochistan, and one in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), according to the NDMA.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the rain related incidents and directed officials to facilitate proper rescue works.