Heavy monsoon rains have caused severe flooding in eastern Pakistan, forcing residents in the Muridke district of Punjab province to evacuate their homes, often by boat. Witnesses reported that floodwaters transformed fields and villages into extensive submerged areas, leaving many inhabitants stranded and isolated.

Volunteers operating small motorboats have been ferrying people to safer locations, but numerous communities remain cut off, with some residents reporting that official rescue teams have yet to arrive after several days. Iqra Salman, a 32-year-old resident, said her community has been surrounded by water for four days without access to electricity, clean water, or sufficient food supplies.

Since late June, at least 109 people have died in flood-related incidents across Pakistan, according to the national disaster agency. Approximately one-third of these deaths occurred in Punjab. The fatalities include drownings and structural collapses caused by the rising waters. Volunteers have been conducting rescue operations in around a dozen villages, with four rescue boats active in evacuation efforts, according to Haris Dar, a volunteer rescuer on the ground.

Despite being rescued, many displaced families face harsh living conditions. Those evacuated are temporarily sheltering in small tents amid high humidity, situated between flooded areas and roadways. Muhammad Ramzan, 45, recounted how his family’s home collapsed after floodwaters surged unexpectedly in the early morning hours, leaving them without any belongings.

Pakistan is particularly susceptible to flooding due to its exposure to South Asia’s seasonal monsoon rains and limited adaptive infrastructure. Experts note that climate change is contributing to increased variability and intensity of monsoon patterns, making floods more frequent and severe across the region.

Neighboring Afghanistan has also experienced deadly flash floods recently, with 34 reported deaths between July 20 and 26. Among the hardest-hit areas is Nuristan province in eastern Afghanistan, where a severe deluge has resulted in around 100 people missing.

The 2026 monsoon season follows a devastating flood event in 2022, which the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described as a “monsoon on steroids.” That event caused widespread destruction across Pakistan, killing approximately 1,700 people and inundating large portions of the country. The recurrent flooding underscores ongoing challenges related to climate resilience and disaster preparedness in the region.