The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Pakistan stated on the 17th that the death toll related to heavy rains in the past 24 hours has reached 54. Since the onset of the monsoon season at the end of June, the total death count has risen to around 180.
A spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Authority told AFP: "In the past 24 hours, 54 people died and 227 were injured across Pakistan, with most of the deaths occurring in Punjab Province."
The spokesperson pointed out that most deaths were caused by house collapses and sudden floods, with dozens also electrocuted.
Authorities said that since the monsoon started on June 26, about 180 people have lost their lives, including 70 children, and about 500 have been injured.
Since the morning of the 16th, heavy rain has almost continuously battered many areas in Punjab Province, causing urban flooding and the collapse of many buildings. In Rawalpindi, near the capital Islamabad, the water level of the Leh River running through the area has rapidly risen, and residents living in low-lying areas have been ordered to evacuate.
The Rawalpindi city government announced a city-wide holiday on the 17th, urging residents to stay at home.