The death toll from torrential monsoon rains across Pakistan has risen to 175 after 63 more people died in a single day. According to reports, heavy rains have wreaked havoc in many parts of the country, including the most populous province, Punjab.

Provincial officials confirmed that 63 more people were killed and over 300 injured in the past 24 hours due to heavy downpours, urban flooding, and related incidents. Among the deceased, 22 were children in Punjab province, most of whom died when their houses collapsed due to the rains. Torrential rainfall has triggered a state of emergency in Punjab and caused significant destruction in other regions as well.

Credible sources indicate that many of the victims died due to collapsing buildings, drowning, or electrocution. These latest casualties have brought the nationwide death toll to over 175 since the monsoon season began in late June - more than half of the victims were children. The majority of the fatalities were reported in Lahore, Faisalabad, and other cities in Punjab.

Meanwhile, UNICEF has expressed deep concern over the devastating impact of the monsoon rains and flooding. The organization reported that since June 26, at least 85 children have died and 162 have been injured.

In its statement, UNICEF noted that record-breaking temperatures - reaching 48.5 °C - have accelerated glacial melting in northern Pakistan, triggering flash floods. According to UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Index, Pakistan ranks 14th out of 163 countries, with children facing extremely high risks from the effects of climate change.