LAHORE / PESHAWAR — President Asif Ali Zardari has directed disaster management agencies and provincial governments to intensify emergency preparedness as heavy monsoon rains triggered flash floods, urban flooding, and building collapses, pushing the combined death toll in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to 43.
In a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat, President Zardari drew attention to the heightened risks of riverine flooding, landslides, and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), especially in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. He instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) to ensure continuous monitoring and keep relief supplies pre-positioned in vulnerable downstream areas.
مون سون بارشوں کا سلسلہ جاری. پنجاب اور خیبرپختونخوا میں جاں بحق افراد کی تعداد 43 ہو گئی، صدر مملکت کی ہنگامی اقدامات کی ہدایت
ملک بھر میں جاری مون سون کی تباہ کن بارشوں کے نتیجے میں پنجاب اور خیبرپختونخوا میں مختلف حادثات کے دوران جاں بحق ہونے والوں کی مجموعی تعداد 43 تک پہنچ… pic.twitter.com/9tko6Dp4az
— Khyber News (@khybernews247) July 23, 2026
Regional Impact Breakdown
| Region | Fatalities | Injuries | Damaged Structures | Key Impacts & Operational Challenges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab | 21 | 154 | 38 partially damaged | Roof collapses (15 deaths), electrocution, and lightning; Lahore recorded 343mm rainfall over 48 hours. |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 22 | 23 | 37 (29 partial, 8 destroyed) | Flash floods across 20 districts; structural collapses; casualties included 10 children. |
Infrastructure Disruptions in Tribal Districts
In Lower South Waziristan, continuous rainfall triggered major landslides along the strategic Wana-Gomal Zam Road, keeping it closed to heavy traffic for the second straight day. The blockage has left dozens of freight vehicles carrying agricultural produce stranded at the Tanai check post, raising concerns among local traders.
The district Communication and Works Department said heavy machinery is working to clear the debris, with the goal of restoring two-way traffic by Friday if weather conditions improve. Meanwhile, rising water levels in the Tanai and Spin streams continue to pose a threat to farmland in nearby villages.
