Islamabad: The recent monsoon season in Pakistan has caused significant destruction across various regions, leading to loss of lives, injuries, and extensive damage to property and infrastructure. The hardest-hit areas include Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sindh, and Balochistan, with hundreds of casualties and thousands of houses affected.

According to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the provinces of Punjab, KP, Sindh, and Balochistan reported a total of 347 deaths due to the monsoon. Additionally, more than 600 individuals sustained injuries across these regions. The report detailed that a total of 37,506 houses have been impacted, with 5,703 fully destroyed and 31,803 partially damaged. Infrastructure suffered as well, with 35 bridges collapsing and approximately 120 kilometers of roads washed away by the floods.

The impact on the agricultural sector is notable, with 1,724 livestock lost and significant damages to schools and educational facilities, totaling 1,895. This has disrupted the education of approximately 276,036 children. The government’s response included the establishment of 115 medical camps treating over 7,100 individuals, setting up 205 relief points, and distributing 30,230 tents and 110,930 mosquito nets among the affected population.

The report also highlighted the urgent needs of the affected communities, which include food, cash assistance, medical supplies, and the restoration of water supply and sanitation facilities. The monsoon has exacerbated the challenges in these areas, necessitating a coordinated aid and relief effort.

The ongoing efforts to address the aftermath of the monsoon season include the distribution of food items, hygiene kits, winterization kits, and non-food items, as well as the de-watering and restoration of school facilities and other critical infrastructure.