Heavy Rain in Pakistan Kills At Least 23

Punjab – The death toll from heavy rains in Pakistan rose to 23 in a day, after the injured as the country enters the monsoon, authorities stated on Monday in local time.

Farooq Ahmad, a spokesperson for Rescue-1122, an emergency service in Punjab Province, eastern Pakistan, said in a statement that all the reported deaths occurred for three different reasons: electrocution, drowning, and lightning.

"Five people died in Narowal District and two people died in Sheikhupura District after being struck by lightning. At least seven people drowned and six others lost their lives due to electrocution in different parts of the province," the spokesperson said.

According to the official statement, at least 75 people were also injured due to electrocution, as well as several wall and roof collapse accidents in various districts, including Narowal, Lahore, Chiniot, and Sheikhupura.

Earlier on Monday morning local time, three people, including a mother and her two children, were killed when the roof of their house collapsed in the Shahzad Town area located on the outskirts of the capital Islamabad, local rescue authorities said.

Local police asked the public to avoid unnecessary travel and to always exercise caution during the rainy season, drive carefully, and stay away from electrical installations and poles. 

Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif ordered provincial and district governments to take immediate steps to drain standing water in urban areas in several districts.

"Ensure uninterrupted flow of traffic and take protective and preventive measures in other parts of the country. Mobilize teams from all concerned agencies in rainy situations and continuously monitor conditions and take administrative measures," the Prime Minister said in the statement.