Islamabad: At least 295 people, including 138 children, have died and over 700 have been injured in rain-related incidents since the start of Pakistan’s monsoon season on June 26, with children accounting for nearly half the fatalities, according to the World Health Organization’s latest report on the crisis.
The disaster has disproportionately affected children, with 236 among the injured, alongside 265 men and 199 women. As heavy rains continue to lash vulnerable regions, stagnant floodwater, damaged infrastructure, and widespread displacement are now fuelling fears of a second disaster—outbreaks of waterborne and vector-borne diseases.
Punjab has borne the brunt of the monsoon’s fury, recording 162 deaths, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (66), Sindh (28), Balochistan (20), Gilgit-Baltistan (9), Islamabad (8), and Pakistan-administered Kashmir (2).
While rainfall continues, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned of more flash floods, landslides, and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in Gilgit-Baltistan, the Pothohar Plateau, and districts of KP and northern Punjab.
According to WHO, the flooding has devastated healthcare access in several regions. In Gilgit-Baltistan, five health facilities were completely destroyed, leaving more than 25,000 people without basic healthcare. Another 37 facilities sustained partial damage across GB, KP, and Sindh, though most remain functional under growing pressure.
Dengue fears are rising, with a 31% surge in suspected cases over the last six weeks, although no formal outbreak has been declared. In Khuzdar, Balochistan, over 50 residents were affected by an outbreak of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) in the flood-hit area of Noor Bux Kaka Heer. While rapid tests for cholera were negative, contaminated groundwater is suspected as the cause.
“The situation is critical in many flood-prone regions. We are closely monitoring disease patterns and stepping up response efforts to prevent secondary health emergencies,” said Dr. Mohammad Daud Altaf, WHO Pakistan’s Team Lead for Health Emergencies.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reports that over 1,600 homes have been damaged and 376 livestock lost nationwide. Rescue operations have intensified, with 2,880 people evacuated in 223 operations since the start of the season. Just in the past week, 1,103 people were rescued during 75 operations.
Displacement continues to rise. Around 8,576 people are currently housed in 33 relief camps, while over 10,900 individuals have been treated at 115 temporary medical camps across Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan. In GB alone, seven IDP camps are hosting 8,400 displaced persons, with more than 2,100 receiving medical care.
To support relief efforts, WHO has pledged emergency medical supplies worth $185,000 for pre-positioning in Gilgit-Baltistan and has distributed 50,000 ORS sachets in Punjab.
In response to the AWD outbreak in Khuzdar, WHO helped deliver essential medicines and provided technical assistance for outbreak investigation. Relief distributions also included 394 mosquito nets and 1,082 hygiene kits to reduce disease transmission risks.
Despite damaged infrastructure and submerged roads, provincial health departments and emergency teams remain active, deploying doctors, nurses, and Rescue 1122 units, with Pakistan Army personnel supporting evacuations and referrals, particularly in Punjab and KP.
Inter-agency coordination has been scaled up. A second national-level Health Sector Coordination Meeting, co-chaired by WHO and the Ministry of National Health Services, was held on July 31. Weekly coordination meetings are now planned throughout the monsoon season to assess needs and close response gaps.
Health officials warn that the coming weeks are critical in preventing outbreaks, particularly in hard-to-reach, flood-affected areas. “Our immediate priorities are ensuring safe drinking water, deploying mobile health teams, maintaining primary healthcare, and protecting vulnerable groups such as children, women, and the elderly,” said Dr. José Ignacio Martín Galán, WHO’s Head of Communications in Pakistan.
With monsoon rains expected to persist into September and the ground already saturated, Pakistan now faces a race against time—not only to protect lives from climate-induced disasters, but also from preventable disease outbreaks that often follow.
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