Torrential monsoon rains and flood-like conditions battered several parts of Pakistan, killing at least 14 people and injuring dozens as severe weather caused widespread damage, authorities said on Thursday.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a fresh alert, warning of potential flooding triggered by glacial lake outburst floods in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir. The authority also cautioned against sudden surges in seasonal streams and hill torrents, urging residents in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant.
The deadliest incident occurred in Swat, where a boat overturned in Saifullah Lake, claiming the lives of six tourists. Rescue officials recovered the bodies and continued searching for a missing woman. Authorities said all of the victims belonged to the same family.
In Attock, three people, including two brothers, lost their lives and five others sustained injuries in separate incidents involving the collapse of walls and roofs during the heavy rainfall.
Lightning strikes also caused casualties in different regions. In Landi Kotal, two children were killed and four others were injured after being struck by lightning. In Upper Dir, lightning injured 20 female students at a madrassa.
In Zhob, a woman and a child died after roofs caved in due to heavy rain, while another resident was killed after being struck by lightning in Ganjial Qaidabad.
In Abbottabad, three people were injured after their vehicle was swept away by a rain-fed stream. Meanwhile, in Mardan, three people, including two children, suffered injuries when a signboard and a wall collapsed during the storm.
The widespread downpours also disrupted normal life in several cities. Heavy rain provided relief from the ongoing heatwave in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, while strong showers in Lahore caused electricity outages after multiple power feeders tripped.
Rainfall was also recorded in Attock, Pindi Bhattian, Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha, Bhera, Hafizabad, Kasur and Muridke. In Gujrat, heavy downpours led to water accumulation in low-lying areas.
Overflowing streams and rainwater inundated roads and markets in Haripur and Abbottabad, disrupting routine activities. Rain and hailstorms were also reported in Swabi, Khuzdar, Zhob and Kohlu, while parts of Karachi experienced cloudy weather accompanied by light drizzle.