ISLAMABAD – August 4, 2025
Unforgiving monsoon rains have battered Pakistan since late June, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), 299 people have lost their lives, including a heartbreaking 140 children. Another 715 individuals have been injured, highlighting the growing toll of seasonal climate disasters on vulnerable communities.
Children Among the Hardest Hit
The NDMA’s report paints a grim picture: Of the 299 fatalities, 102 were men and 57 women, but it’s the high number of child casualties that stands out. The injured also include 239 children, emphasizing the disproportionate impact on the youngest and most defenseless.
Homes Destroyed, Livelihoods Lost
Beyond the human toll, the infrastructure damage is extensive. Since June 26, nearly 1,700 homes have been damaged or destroyed — 562 completely leveled and 1,114 left partially standing. For many families, these aren’t just buildings; they’re their only shelters and lifelines.
In rural areas, where people rely heavily on livestock, the loss of 428 animals has worsened the blow, stripping households of both income and food sources.
Large-Scale Relief Efforts Underway
Rescue and relief operations have been underway at scale. NDMA teams have conducted over 220 rescue missions, evacuating close to 3,000 people from the hardest-hit zones. Relief distribution has also been ramped up, with more than 13,000 essential items — from tents and blankets to kitchen kits and de-watering pumps — dispatched to affected areas.
To meet health needs, authorities have established 71 medical camps, where at least 577 patients have received treatment so far — a number expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.
Multi-Agency Response in Progress
The NDMA is working alongside provincial and federal agencies to coordinate ongoing aid and rehabilitation efforts. While the relief work continues, the frequency and severity of these disasters point to a deeper problem: the increasing vulnerability of Pakistan’s infrastructure and communities in the face of climate change.
Monsoon season is far from over — and for many, the worst may still lie ahead.
