Flash Floods Kill Over 24 Across Pakistan, Rescue Efforts Underway

Heavy rains and flash floods across Pakistan, particularly in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, have resulted in at least 24 deaths, including many children, and numerous injuries since the monsoon began. The Swat Valley was severely affected, where flash floods swept away families near the Swat River, killing at least 12 people and leaving several others missing, despite ongoing rescue efforts involving over 120 personnel. Many victims were tourists caught unaware of rising water levels during leisure outings, prompting authorities to enforce Section 144, which prohibits riverbank activities to prevent further casualties. Flood damage has also destroyed homes and disrupted transportation, notably delaying train services in Sindh due to adverse weather impacts on railway signaling. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned that the threat of heavy rains and flash floods will persist through at least Tuesday, underscoring the country's vulnerability to increasingly frequent extreme weather events linked to climate change. Provincial governments are responding with rescue operations and compensation announcements, while urging citizens to avoid risky travel and unsafe structures during this period.