Pakistan monsoon rains death toll reaches 216

The death toll from monsoon rains across Pakistan has reached 216 since late June as authorities warn of a further rainfall this week.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said the toll included 101 children and 40 women with 582 people injured since June 26.

Punjab reported the highest number of deaths at 135, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) with 42, Sindh 21, Balochistan 16 while Pakistan controlled Kashmir and Islamabad reported one each.

The NDMA said 196 houses have been damaged, 583 were partially damaged and 195 livestock perished during the same toll period.

In the 24 hours from midday on Saturday to midday Sunday, 13 people were killed in rain-related incidents while 20 others were injured, the report added.

The Meteorological Department forecast widespread rains across Pakistan over the coming days, with Balochistan and KP expected to receive rain until July 25.

Rain with scattered heavy showers is expected from Monday to Wednesday in Punjab and Islamabad.

A new monsoon system forming over the Bay of Bengal is expected to affect Pakistan starting from July 28, the department said.

Monsoon season brings Southeast Asia 70 to 80 per cent of its annual rainfall, arriving in late June in Pakistan and continuing until September.

In 2022, unprecedented monsoon rains combined with glacial melt submerged nearly a third of Pakistan, killing more than 1700 people and causing over $US33 billion in economic losses.