According to authorities, heavy rainfall caused the roofs and walls of houses to collapse, while flash floods damaged at least 65 homes in different parts of the province.

The rain-related incidents were reported in Peshawar, Abbottabad, Swat, Buner, Khyber, Lower Chitral, Lower Dir, Mansehra, Mardan, Shangla, Swabi, Upper Dir and Upper Kohistan.

Rescue and relief operations are underway in the affected areas.

Heavy downpours also caused streams and seasonal waterways to overflow in many districts, while intermittent rainfall continued across the plains and mountainous regions, including Malakand and Hazara divisions.

Authorities said work is underway to reopen roads blocked by landslides in hilly areas.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has forecast intermittent rain over the next 24 hours and advised tourists and residents to avoid unnecessary travel due to the risk of flash floods, landslides and other rain-related hazards.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has warned that the current wet spell is likely to continue until August 5.

According to the PDMA, Faisalabad recorded 126mm of rainfall, followed by 73mm in Sialkot, 64mm in Mianwali and up to 64mm in various parts of Lahore.

The authority said that despite the heavy downpour, pre-emptive measures taken under the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, along with the deployment of heavy machinery, helped ensure the timely drainage of rainwater from affected areas.

PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said the ongoing monsoon spell would continue till August 5, while PDMA spokesperson Anwar Jappa urged citizens to exercise caution during the rainy weather.

In a separate update, the PDMA said water flows in most of Punjab’s rivers remained within normal limits, although low-level flooding was recorded at Kalabagh and Chashma on the Indus River.

Water levels in the Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi and Sutlej rivers were reported to be normal, while conditions in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan also remained stable.

According to the PDMA, water flow at Kalabagh was recorded at 302,000 cusecs, while 276,000 cusecs was recorded at Chashma.

The authority said Nullah Palkhu at Wazirabad was experiencing medium-level flooding with water flow measured at 2,600 cusecs, while Nullah Basantar in Narowal remained at low flood level with a flow of 1,700 cusecs.

The PDMA warned that the fourth spell of monsoon rains is expected to continue until August 5, increasing the risk of urban flooding in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Multan.

It also cautioned that heavy rainfall in upper catchment areas could increase water flows in eastern rivers and adjoining streams, while landslides remain a risk in Murree, Galiyat and other hilly areas.

Authorities have advised residents living along rivers and streams to move to safer locations and urged the public to avoid visiting riverbanks, canals and nullahs during the rainy spell.

Parents have also been urged to keep children away from rivers and rain-fed streams to prevent drowning incidents.

The PDMA said flood relief camps have been established in vulnerable areas, where essential facilities and medicines have been made available for affected residents.

Europe has been ravaged by wildfires this summer after a period of record-breaking heatwaves and little rain - conditions that scientists say have been exacerbated by climate change.

Destructive blazes in France and Spain showed signs of easing over the weekend, but several wildfires have broken out in Greece after ​a period of relative calm there.

Gale-force winds that fuelled the fire around Porto Germeno on the Gulf of Corinth 60 km (40 ​miles) northwest of Athens have subsided, but flames crossed a mountain to the south and reached the settlement ⁠of Veniza and a military firing range, activating unexploded ordnance.

Nearly 500 Greek firefighters equipped with vehicles, heavy machinery and firefighting aircraft have been ​deployed, reinforced by France and Romania.

In the village of Agios Konstantinos, residents were doing their best to halt the spread of the blaze.

“The fire ​has been burning since last night; certainly, they cannot have forces everywhere. We as residents are doing everything we can,” said Tasos Tzempelikos, 61, who along with his son was pouring water on the fire.

Greek daily Protothema reported that a major effort was under way to prevent the fire from Veniza from ​reaching the nearby coastal town of Megara. It said more than 10,000 hectares of land had likely been destroyed by the fire so ​far.

Overnight, several settlements on the Ionian island of Kefalonia were evacuated after a fire broke out in the Pastra area in the south.

In France, wildfires in the ‌Gironde ⁠and Var departments showed signs of easing. Authorities reported only minor flare-ups in the southwestern Gironde area and said the blaze in the southeastern Var department had not spread overnight.

In central Spain, wildfires that ripped through tens of thousands of hectares over the past week were mostly under control, though firefighters were dealing with re-ignitions in some areas.

In the western province of Caceres, a forest blaze erupted on Saturday, prompting the evacuation ​of around 800 people. Those residents ​were allowed to return on Sunday ⁠but remain confined to their homes as the fire remains active.

Other European countries are struggling with drought and receding water levels in major rivers, including the Rhine and the Danube, which recorded its lowest-ever water ​levels in Hungary, Serbia and Romania.

Hungary faces a critical five days, Prime Minister Peter Magyar said on Sunday, ​as the drying out ⁠of the Danube forced the country’s sole nuclear power plant to shut for the first time in over four decades, with a new heatwave looming.

Falls in water levels amid a lack of rain have also disrupted shipping and tourism in Hungary and triggered water-use restrictions in more than 100 cities and ⁠villages.

Danube levels ​in Serbia fell to their lowest since 1985, cutting the daily output of the ​country’s biggest hydropower plant to only 20%, the country’s energy minister said on Sunday.

In Mirpurkhas, torrential rain inundated low-lying areas, with floodwater entering homes and shops after the city’s drainage system became overwhelmed.

Residents were seen trying to protect their properties using their own resources.

Electricity supply in parts of the city was also suspended after a fault developed in a high-tension transmission line.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said rain-bearing clouds remained active over southern and south-eastern Sindh, forecasting more rainfall in Tharparkar, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin and other parts of the province.

In Karachi, light rain was reported in several areas, including Quaidabad, Malir and Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

In Hyderabad and Tando Allahyar, intermittent rain brought relief from the heat but caused power outages after multiple electricity feeders tripped.

Tharparkar witnessed heavy rainfall that created flood-like conditions in several areas.

After heavy rains, the Mithi-Naukot Road and routes linking Islamkot and Diplo were submerged, while several low-lying localities remained under water.

At the Civil Hospital in Mithi, rainwater leaked through roofs and entered hospital wards, creating difficulties for patients and medical staff.

Continuous rainfall for nearly 20 hours was also reported in Umerkot and Tando Mohammad Khan, while several areas of Jamshoro and Badin were inundated by accumulated rainwater.

The PMD has advised residents to remain cautious as further rainfall is expected across southern Sindh over the coming days.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), reports of rain were received from several neighbourhoods in Karachi’s district Central and West.

Light showers were reported in New Karachi, Nagan Chowrangi and Nazimabad, while North Karachi and Surjani Town received heavy rainfall.

Rain was also recorded in Gulshan-e-Maymar, Scheme 33, Gadap Town and nearby areas.

The showers turned the weather pleasant, with many residents enjoying the cooler conditions.

However, roads became slippery in several areas following the rainfall.

Earlier, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had forecast rain in Karachi on August 1 and 2.

It said dusty winds were also expected in the city’s suburban areas, while light rain was likely in Karachi Central under the prevailing weather system.

The Met Office said the city is expected to remain partly to mostly cloudy over the next 24 hours, with the maximum temperature likely to reach 36°C.

During the past 24 hours, the minimum temperature was recorded at 29.5°C.

The PMD added that sea breezes were blowing at a speed of 8km per hour, while humidity stood at 82%.

The Met Office said moderate rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds were expected in the provincial capital.

Monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are currently affecting the upper and central parts of the country, while another westerly weather system is present over the northern regions and is expected to intensify from August 1, the Met Office said.

The combined weather systems are likely to trigger heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms in several districts of Sindh between the evening of July 31 and August 2.

The districts expected to receive significant rainfall include Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Sanghar, Hyderabad, Khairpur and surrounding areas.

For Karachi, the PMD has forecast moderate rain with thunderstorms and gusty winds during the same period.

Speaking to reporters at her office in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the full extent of casualties and damage from the 7.1 magnitude quake was still being assessed.

“We have already been informed that people have been injured,” Takaichi said.

“Power outages and fires have occurred in some areas, and there has also ​been damage to roads and bridges and the collapse of buildings.”

One hospital had reported more than 50 injuries, public broadcaster ​NHK said.

Several people on a high-speed train at the time of the quake were also injured, Nikkei ⁠newspaper said.

Multiple buildings were damaged, including an Aeon shopping mall that NHK said had suffered an explosion, while footage from the broadcaster also ​showed other buildings on fire or partially collapsed.

A spokesperson for Aeon did not immediately have a comment on the situation.

Large cracks appeared on major roads, including ​an elevated highway, and a goods train derailed, according to NHK, while rail services were halted and flights grounded.

TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, evacuated workers from its plant in the area as a precaution, a spokesperson for the firm said.

Sony and Fujifilm also evacuated staff from their plants in the area, Nikkei newspaper reported.

A Sony ​spokesperson earlier said it was checking the situation.

More than 150,000 people have been instructed to go to evacuation centres, the disaster management agency said.

Residents ​in the areas that felt the biggest tremors must beware of further strong quakes for about a week as well as the risk of landslides, an ‌official for ⁠the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.

Trains halted, airport closed

Japan is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, with a tremor occurring at least every 5 minutes.

Located along the “Ring of Fire” of volcanoes and oceanic trenches partly encircling the Pacific Basin, Japan accounts for about 20% of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or more.

The Japanese government issued emergency earthquake warnings for Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita, and Miyazaki prefectures, all ​on Japan’s southern Kyushu island.

The ​JMA also initially issued a ⁠tsunami warning for a wave measuring 1 m (3.28 feet) but later lifted it.

Kyushu Electric Power said about 40,000 homes had lost power as a result of the latest quake, while railway company JR Kyushu said ​that it had suspended services, including its high-speed bullet trains.

Kumamoto airport also shut its runway, as ​airlines diverted and ⁠cancelled flights.

Telecoms operators KDDI and Docomo said there was disruption to their mobile phone services due to power shortages and transmission-line failures.

There were no irregularities reported at the nuclear power stations in the area, Japan’s nuclear regulation authority said.

A massive earthquake in Kumamoto 10 years ago killed 275 people ⁠and injured ​a further 2,739, according to an official count, and damaged thousands of buildings, including ​the city’s castle, a top tourist site.

Some portions of the stone walls at the castle also collapsed as a result of Tuesday’s quake, an official at the castle’s office ​said.

In a weather alert, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) warned of possible flash floods, swollen streams and landslides in several districts during that period.

According to the PDMA, monsoon rains will begin affecting the upper and central parts of the province from July 29, while a strong westerly weather system is also expected to intensify from August 1, increasing the likelihood of heavy rainfall.

The authority has directed all district administrations to take precautionary measures in advance and remain prepared to deal with any emergency arising from the expected weather conditions.

The PDMA warned that landslides could occur in the upper districts of Chitral, Upper and Lower Dir, Swat, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra and Kohistan due to persistent rainfall.

It also cautioned that local rivers and hill torrents in the upper districts may experience flash flooding, urging authorities to closely monitor vulnerable areas and ensure timely response measures.

According to the PMD, monsoon currents are expected to enter the upper and central parts of the country on Wednesday, triggering rain and thunderstorms in many areas.

Authorities have warned that heavy rainfall could cause landslides in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, while swollen rivers and hill torrents may inundate low-lying areas.

Rain accompanied by thunderstorms is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan from Tuesday evening, while southern Punjab is forecast to receive rainfall from July 31 to August 3.

The rainy weather is also expected in Sindh between July 31 and August 2, and in Balochistan from July 31 to August 3.

The PMD has advised the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and all relevant departments to remain on high alert and take precautionary measures in view of the expected severe weather.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a province-wide alert for the fourth spell of monsoon rains, forecasting widespread showers across most districts from July 29 to August 5.

Heavy rainfall is expected in Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Okara and several other districts.

Southern Punjab is also likely to receive rain between July 31 and August 3.

The PDMA has also forecast heavy rainfall in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal and surrounding districts.

The authority warned of urban flooding in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Multan, while landslides are possible in Murree, Galiyat and other hilly areas.

It also warned that heavy rains could increase the river flow and seasonal streams, raising the risk of flash flooding.

PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia instructed commissioners and deputy commissioners across Punjab to remain on high alert and take measures to deal with any emergency situation.

Residents have been advised to avoid staying in dilapidated or mud-built houses during heavy rain, remain indoors during thunderstorms and lightning, and keep children away from floodwaters, low-lying areas and electrical installations.

In a statement, the minister said Pakistan is home to the world’s seventh-largest arid-climate mangrove forest, primarily located in the Indus Delta in Sindh, with smaller mangrove belts in Balochistan.

He said the country’s mangrove forests represent a significant economic and environmental asset, estimating that carbon credits generated from these ecosystems could earn Pakistan $20-50 million each year, depending on carbon credit prices and trading volumes.

Mangrove carbon markets allow carbon dioxide absorbed and stored by mangrove forests to be converted into carbon credits, which can be sold to governments and companies seeking to offset greenhouse gas emissions.

Chaudhry described mangroves as a natural defence against coastal erosion, flooding and storm surges, saying they play a vital role in protecting shoreline communities, ports and marine biodiversity.

Chaudhry warned that the continued loss of mangrove forests could have serious consequences for both the environment and the people who depend on them.

He said the forests provide vital breeding grounds for fish, shrimp, crabs and other marine life that sustain Pakistan’s fisheries and aquaculture sector, meaning their destruction could threaten food security and the livelihoods of thousands of coastal families.

The minister added that Balochistan’s estimated 4,058 hectares of mangrove forests could also contribute to Pakistan’s carbon market initiatives, noting that mangroves can store nearly four times more carbon than terrestrial forests.

The minister called for stronger action to protect these ecosystems, urging authorities to crack down on illegal encroachments, raise public awareness and encourage greater public and private investment in blue economy projects aimed at conserving coastal resources.

His remarks come at a time of growing concern over the steady disappearance of Pakistan’s mangrove forests.

A report by the World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan last year found that large stretches of mangroves along Karachi’s coastline had been cleared to make way for housing schemes as well as commercial and industrial developments, warning that more forests could be lost without urgent intervention.

Environmental experts have repeatedly stressed that protecting forests and coastal ecosystems is becoming increasingly critical as Pakistan faces more frequent and intense climate-related disasters.

According to a PDMA spokesperson, widespread rainfall is forecast for Lahore and several other cities across Punjab, with heavy downpours expected to continue over the coming days.

The authority said that Noorpur Thal recorded the highest rainfall during the past 24 hours with 115mm, followed by Gujranwala (107mm), Gujrat (94mm), Narowal (68mm) and Mandi Bahauddin (65mm).

In Lahore, cumulative rainfall over the past five days has reached 450mm, the PDMA said.

The authority warned that continued heavy rain could trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas and cause streams and seasonal nullahs to overflow.

It also cautioned about the risk of landslides in the hilly areas of Murree.

The PDMA said its provincial control room and all district emergency operation centres have been placed on high alert to respond to any emergencies.

PDMA Director General Umar Abbas directed the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) and municipal authorities to ensure that rainwater does not accumulate in low-lying areas.

He also instructed officials to personally supervise field operations throughout the rain season.

China declared its highest alert for flash floods in several provinces as ​the year’s strongest typhoon forced the relocation of more than 700,000 ​people in Guangdong, authorities said.

The year’s 12th tropical cyclone ⁠and China’s third this month, Noul, which means the glow of ​sunrise or sunset in Korean, struck the coast of Huidong county at ​about 3.50am, provincial officials said.

It is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain to nearby provinces such as Jiangxi and Hunan as it moves inland, state ​broadcaster CCTV said, with the rains likely to persist until Tuesday.

Extremely ​heavy to exceptional downpours are expected to lash some areas, including the province of ‌Fujian, ⁠as the National Meteorological Centre forecast heavy to torrential rain from Sunday until Monday morning across much of China’s south.

Authorities urged local governments to pay special attention to flood-prone areas such as zones of mountains ​and rivers, building ​sites, valleys, and ⁠bridges.

The typhoon is weakening as it moves inland, Hong Kong’s Observatory said, though southwesterly gales pounded parts ​of the Asian financial hub, where authorities downgraded the ​typhoon signal ⁠to No. 3 from No. 8 by afternoon.

Overnight, the storm had passed within 80 km of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong airport authorities said flights ⁠will ​gradually begin resuming on Sunday afternoon, after ​having been mostly suspended for more than 12 hours.

The damage assessment report said that 52 houses suffered partial damage, while six livestock animals were killed during the current spell of monsoon rains.

According to the PDMA, most fatalities were caused by the collapse of dilapidated buildings, old rooftops and mud houses, as well as lightning strikes and electrocution.

In view of the third spell of the monsoon, PDMA Director General Umar Abbas directed all district administrations to remain on high alert, warning of a heightened risk of urban flooding and flash floods.

He instructed all deputy commissioners to ensure the enforcement of Section 144 along rivers, streams and seasonal nullahs to prevent public access to hazardous areas.

The PDMA said that, on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the injured are being provided with the best available medical treatment.

Under the Punjab government’s compensation policy, the families of those killed in the rain-related incidents are being provided financial assistance ranging from Rs1 million to Rs5 million.

The PDMA also urged the public to take precautionary measures during the monsoon season, advising people to avoid living in mud or structurally unsafe buildings and to keep children away from electricity poles and low-lying areas to reduce the risk of accidents.

“The situation remains ​extremely tense with the fires hitting ⁠our country, particularly in ​Gironde,” wrote Macron on X.

“France has ​requested the activation of the European Union’s civil protection mechanism. We will ​soon be able to count ​on reinforcements from two Croatian Canadair aircraft, ‌two Portuguese Air Tractor planes, as well as two heavy Black Hawk helicopters from the Czech ​Republic and Slovakia,” ⁠he added.

More than 10,000 people were evacuated overnight ​in southwestern France as ​a rapidly spreading wildfire ripped through at least 2,400 hectares of ⁠land west of the ​city of Bordeaux, officials said on Thursday.

In France, where two firefighters died on Tuesday as their truck was engulfed in flames in the southwest region of Gironde, authorities urged people to avoid using barbecues in areas hit by heatwaves, stressing that nine out of 10 wildfires start, accidentally or not, as a result of human activity.

Meanwhile, in the Western Balkans, the danger has shifted from heatwaves to hailstorms, with several people injured in North Macedonia and eastern Kosovo.

Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, and scientists say human-driven climate change is increasing the intensity of heatwaves, droughts and wildfires, while also creating conditions for sudden, destructive storms.

The continent has endured three stifling, virtually ​back-to-back heatwaves so far this year. Intense heat has also been blamed for thousands of excess deaths in the May to June period.

The Reuters Climate Monitor, ⁠an interactive tool providing real-time data, showed the average high temperature across Western Europe is forecast to be 26.6 degrees Celsius (79.8 degrees Fahrenheit), which is 3 degrees above the normal high for July ​22 in the period from 1961 to 1990.

Spanish wildfire

Spain’s worst wildfire so far this year has burned an estimated 32,000 hectares (79,000 acres) in the Guadalajara region. It started to stabilise on Tuesday after forcing ​evacuations in 34 municipalities and confinement orders in 14 others.

Castilla-La Mancha’s INFOCAM fire service said residents of five villages had been authorised to return, although other restrictions remained in place.

Visiting the region on Wednesday, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain had already suffered 22 major wildfires this year, with more than 100,000 hectares burned nationwide.

“To put that into perspective, that is the annual average that Spain experienced over the past decade,” he said, adding that more ​must be done to prevent fires. “We must raise public awareness, and we must not trivialise the effects of the climate emergency.”

Spain’s weather agency AEMET said the danger of wildfires remained “very high or extreme” ​across most of mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands and was expected to increase further in the coming days.

It urged people to “exercise extreme caution” as the ongoing heatwave combined with dry thunderstorms and Saharan dust.

While temperatures will ‌ease slightly in ⁠some areas on Thursday, a dry westerly wind is forecast to drive a fresh surge of heat in Mediterranean regions, where highs of 42 to 44 C could be recorded in some areas.

A marked cooldown is expected from Friday. However, the respite may be brief. Temperatures are forecast to rise again from Sunday, and intense heat could return across much of Spain early next week.

France fires

In France, less severe temperatures and lighter winds aided efforts to fight a wildfire that has burned 2,500 hectares in the southeastern Var area, damaged dozens of homes and forced 400 people to flee their homes, local ​authorities said.

At 7 a.m. (0500 GMT), helicopters resumed dropping ​water on the Var wildfire, which is still ⁠active.

“The situation has been very difficult. Some 1,100 firefighters fought all night,” Commander William Vogl, a spokesperson for the Var firefighters, said on RMC radio. The fire was not yet contained, but winds should be “more favourable” on Wednesday, he said.

Prefect Simon Babre said barbecues were banned, and he also asked ​municipalities to cancel any plans for traditional summer fireworks.

Officials said another fire was raging in the Hautes-Alpes, also in southeastern France.

Heat and storms

In Greece, ​with temperatures forecast to top ⁠41 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit), authorities have banned outdoor work at peak midday sun. In Cyprus, which is also used to high summer temperatures, working outdoors was banned during afternoon hours on Wednesday.

In Skopje, capital of North Macedonia, 11 people were admitted to hospital, three of them with serious injuries, after a storm on Tuesday night felled trees, damaged roofs and caused power outages across the Balkan country, local media reported.

Roads were blocked ⁠, and some ​towns were left without electricity and water.

In Kosovo, the Hydrometeorological Institute said more storms were expected on Wednesday and warned of ​possible lightning strikes, damage to the electricity network, power outages, flooding and property damage.

Local media showed roofs being blown away, torrential rain and residents covering their cars with blankets on Tuesday to protect them from hail.

Wildfires have burnt more ⁠land in Europe already ​this year than the annual average ​in the past two decades, data shows, as the world’s fastest-warming continent has endured three ​stifling, virtually back-to-back heatwaves ​so far this year.

Five hundred firefighters are ‌battling ⁠to control the blaze, the prefecture said, adding that the wildfire was very rough, but that ​no one ​has ⁠been injured so far.

The wildfire is located near ​the Arcachon Bay area, ​a ⁠tourist hotspot, and many of those evacuated are tourists staying in ⁠camping ​sites.

According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), at least 17 people have been killed and 107 others injured in rain-related incidents over the past 24 hours, with most fatalities caused by collapsing roofs and walls, lightning strikes and electrocution.

Gujranwala was the worst-hit district, where five people lost their lives, and seven others were injured in separate incidents of roof collapse.

In Kamoke, four people were injured when the roof of a house caved in.

Rivers swell

Heavy rainfall has also significantly increased water levels in rivers and streams in Punjab.

The PDMA said low-level flooding has been recorded in the Indus River at Kalabagh and Chashma, while the Chenab River is experiencing low-level flooding at Marala and Qadirabad.

A moderate flood level has been recorded at Khanki on the Chenab.

The Ravi, Sutlej and Jhelum rivers remain within their normal flow levels, although authorities warned that continued rainfall in upper catchment areas could further increase water inflows.

Gujranwala records highest rainfall

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said Gujranwala received the highest rainfall over the past 24 hours, recording 279 millimetres.

Other major rainfall totals included: Mandi Bahauddin (138mm), Narowal (117mm), Sialkot (95mm), Hafizabad (85mm), Chakwal (70mm), Okara (64mm), Gujrat (49mm), Lahore (43mm), Jhang ( 35mm).

The Met Office has forecast that the current spell of monsoon rains will continue until July 24, with further heavy showers expected across most districts.

Flood monitoring cell set up

On the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab Safe Cities Authority has established a Rain and Flood Monitoring Cell to monitor rainfall and potential urban flooding across the province.

The authority said flood monitoring teams have been placed on 24-hour alert, while rainfall is being monitored in real time through 43 Smart Safe City Centres.

Safe City cameras and artificial intelligence technology are also being used to identify low-lying areas, traffic bottlenecks and flood-prone locations.

According to the authority’s spokesperson, the monitoring cell is providing real-time alerts and updates to district administrations, Rescue 1122 and other relevant departments while continuously monitoring drainage operations and traffic conditions.

Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rainfall, remain in safe locations and contact the 15 emergency helpline in case of emergencies.

Authorities on high alert

Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Bilal Yasin directed WASA Punjab and all relevant agencies to remain on high alert throughout the monsoon spell.

He instructed senior officials to remain in the field to supervise drainage operations and ensure uninterrupted removal of rainwater from urban areas.

Additional machinery and emergency response teams have been deployed in low-lying areas, underpasses and other vulnerable locations, while disposal stations and dewatering pumps have been ordered to remain fully operational.

Dam level

The Punjab government said it is continuously monitoring rivers, dams and barrages across the province.

According to the PDMA, Tarbela Dam is currently 57% full, while Mangla Dam stands at 38% capacity.

Officials said financial assistance would be provided to families affected by rain-related incidents in accordance with the provincial government’s compensation policy.

Authorities also urged parents to keep children away from rivers, canals and rain-fed streams, warning that swollen waterways pose a serious risk during the ongoing monsoon season.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has urged residents, especially those living in low-lying areas, to follow precautionary measures as heavy rainfall would continue.

In Punjab, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said water levels in major rivers continue to rise due to ongoing monsoon rains, with the second spell of the season expected to last until July 24.

According to the PDMA, low-level flooding in the Indus River has been recorded at Kalabagh and Chashma, where water flows reached 317,000 and 295,000 cusecs, respectively.

Similarly, low-level flooding is being witnessed in the Chenab River at Marala and Qadirabad at Khanki.

Water flows stood at 128,000 cusecs at Marala, 152,000 cusecs at Khanki and 157,000 cusecs at Qadirabad.

The Ravi, Sutlej and Jhelum rivers remain within normal limits, while Nullah Bein is also experiencing low-level flooding.

PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia urged people living along riverbeds and low-lying areas to move to safer locations, warning that further rainfall in the catchment areas could increase river flows in the coming days.

He said the Punjab government has completed preparations in flood-prone districts, with relief camps established to provide shelter, food, medicines and other essential services if needed.

The PDMA also advised the public to avoid unnecessary visits to rivers, canals and streams, ensure the use of standard boats and life jackets while crossing waterways, and keep children away from swollen rivers and rain-fed streams.

Man rescued from flooded underpass

In Kamoke, rescue officials saved a 70-year-old man from drowning after he accidentally fell into a heavily flooded underpass on GT Road.

According to Rescue 1122, the elderly man, identified as Riaz, failed to notice the accumulated water due to poor visibility after dark and stepped into the submerged underpass.

Rescue personnel, who were already deployed nearby, pulled him to safety. Several feet of water remain standing in the underpass.

Evacuation warnings in Wazirabad

In Wazirabad, the district administration has started making public announcements through mosques, urging residents living along the Chenab River, Nullah Palkhu and Nullah Aik to evacuate and move to safer areas as a precaution against possible flooding.

The road was blocked at several locations after floodwaters damaged sections of the route, halting all traffic and leaving thousands of residents, travellers and tourists stranded.

The residents said the closure had disrupted the supply of food, medicines and other essential goods, while raising concerns over the transportation of patients requiring emergency medical treatment.

With no alternative road connecting the district, they said Astore had effectively become isolated.

They urged the Gilgit-Baltistan government, the district administration, the National Highway Authority (NHA) and other relevant agencies to deploy heavy machinery and additional personnel on an emergency basis to restore the road as quickly as possible.

Widespread flooding and power outages also disrupted normal life in several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

Authorities said most of the deaths were caused by roofs and walls collapsing or being swept away by flash floods.

The deceased included five men, five children and two women, while the injured comprised 10 men, four women and four children, the PDMA said.

The authority said three houses were completely destroyed and 15 suffered partial damage due to the rains.

The worst-hit districts include Peshawar, Nowshera, Khyber, Mardan, Buner, Bajaur, Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Torghar, Kurram and North Waziristan.

In Nowshera, rescue teams evacuated 18 people who were trapped in flash floods and shifted them to safer locations.

Despite the widespread rainfall, the PDMA said water levels and flows in all major rivers and streams across the province remained within normal limits.

The authority warned that intermittent rain is likely to continue until July 23 and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from flood-prone areas and follow official advisories.

District administrations have already been placed on high alert to meet any eventuality.

Meanwhile, continuous rainfall caused widespread electricity outages across the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) region, disrupting power supply from 148 feeders.

According to a PESCO spokesperson, heavy rain over the past 12 hours caused feeders to trip in Peshawar, Khyber, Mardan, Swabi and Swat.

The worst-affected area was the Peshawar Circle, where 71 feeders were disrupted, followed by Khyber with 33, Mardan with 22, Swabi with 12 and Swat with 10 feeders.

Power supply was affected in several parts of Peshawar, including the city centre, Saddar, Gulberg, University Town, Warsak and Shabqadar.

PESCO said restoration efforts were hampered by the ongoing rainfall, but repair crews worked overnight to restore electricity to 42 feeders, while work continues to restore power to the remaining affected areas.

Addressing a press conference at the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) headquarters in Lahore, PDMA Director General Umar Abbas said conditions in Narowal, Jhelum and Gujrat had returned to normal following recent heavy rains.

He said water flow in the Ravi and Sutlej rivers remained at normal levels, while breaches in embankments near Nullah Dek, Narowal and Sheikhupura had been repaired immediately, preventing further damage.

Abbas said the Punjab government had procured nearly 1,000 new machines for the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) under the Punjab Development Programme to improve its emergency response capacity.

He added that extensive desilting and cleaning of major drainage channels before the monsoon season had significantly reduced urban water accumulation, with waterlogging this year being nearly three times lower than during the previous monsoon.

Providing an update on casualties, the PDMA chief said 22 people had been killed and 183 injured in rain-related incidents across Punjab during the current spell of monsoon rains.

He said the provincial government was also working to upgrade the ageing electricity distribution system to minimise weather-related disruptions.

Abbas added that authorities had launched operations to remove encroachments from riverbeds and construct protective embankments along vulnerable sections to strengthen flood protection measures across the province.

The PMD said monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea were continuously penetrating the upper and central parts of the country and were expected to strengthen over the weekend, while a western disturbance was likely to approach the upper parts of the country on Monday, further enhancing rainfall activity.

The Met Office forecast rain, windstorms and thundershowers with scattered heavy to very heavy falls in Kashmir from the evening of July 18 to July 25, with areas including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur likely to be affected.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rainfall activity with scattered heavy to very heavy falls is expected from the evening of July 19 to July 23 across Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Kurram, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, North and South Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan and Hangu.

The PMD said Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Faisalabad, Khushab, Sargodha, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot and Okara were also likely to receive rain, windstorms and thundershowers with scattered heavy to very heavy falls from July 19 to July 23.

Southern and western districts of Punjab, including Noorpur Thal, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur, are expected to receive rainfall from July 20 to July 24.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, moderate to heavy rain, windstorms and thunderstorms are forecast in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar from the evening of July 18 to July 25.

Balochistan is likely to experience rain, windstorms and thundershowers with isolated heavy falls from July 19 to July 23 in Zhob, Sherani, Loralai, Kohlu, Sibi, Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad, Barkhan, Dera Bugti and Khuzdar.

Most parts of Sindh are expected to remain hot and very humid, though isolated rain and thundershowers are likely in Tharparkar, Mithi, Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur, Dadu and Jacobabad from the evening of July 20 to July 24.

The PMD warned that windstorms and lightning could damage vulnerable structures, including solar panels, electric poles and billboards. It also cautioned that landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir between July 20 and July 25.

The department warned of possible flash flooding in local streams and nullahs of Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, northeastern Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan and northeastern Balochistan during the wet spell.

Heavy rainfall could also trigger urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Multan and Faisalabad from July 20 to July 23.

The PMD advised tourists and travellers to avoid unnecessary journeys during the forecast period, while farmers were urged to plan crop activities according to weather conditions and ensure proper care of livestock.

The department said the prevailing hot and humid weather was likely to subside during the forecast period and advised authorities to remain vigilant and take necessary precautionary measures to avoid any untoward situation.

Rivers are ‌bringing historically low levels of water into the Netherlands, where it has also hardly rained in ​recent weeks.

Measures are therefore needed to ​evenly distribute supplies and meet rising demand ⁠for water, the government said.

The country had ​moved from a situation with a “possible” shortage to ​an “actual” shortage, and that situation was expected to remain in the weeks to come, it added.

The situation ​does not affect the supply of drinking ​water, as stocks had already been increased before the ‌summer.

Ships ⁠will likely face delays as locks will be opened less frequently to limit the inflow of salt water.

Irrigation will also be limited ​in various ​places.

According to ⁠the Reuters Climate Monitor, the average high across Western Europe is forecast ​to be 28.7 degrees Celsius (83.66 degrees ​Fahrenheit) ⁠on Thursday, which is 5.4 degrees above the normal high for July 16 from 1961 ⁠to 1990. The average high ​in the Netherlands of 24.3 degrees is 4.5 degrees above ​normal.

The department said Karachi’s maximum temperature was likely to reach 35 degrees Celsius. The temperature was recorded at 28.4 degrees Celsius in the morning, with humidity at 75% and winds blowing at 15 kilometres per hour.

The Meteorological Department said the weather in most areas of Balochistan was expected to remain dry and extremely hot.

Maximum temperatures were recorded at 39 degrees Celsius in Quetta, 34 in Kalat, 29 in Ziarat, 37 in Zhob, 45 in Sibi and Nokundi, 38 in Turbat, 40 in Chaman, and 33 in the coastal areas of Gwadar and Jiwani.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the department forecast hot and dry weather in most districts, with heat and humidity expected to intensify further in the plains. Rain was possible in some areas of the Hazara and Malakand divisions.

Peshawar recorded a temperature of 33 degrees Celsius, with humidity at 53%. Temperatures in other parts of the province were recorded at 20 degrees Celsius in Chitral, 22 in Dir, 24 in Malam Jabba, 27 in Saidu Sharif, 34 in Bannu, 33 in Dera Ismail Khan and 27 in Abbottabad.

The Meteorological Department advised residents to take precautionary measures in view of the weather conditions.

In Lahore, the department said severe heat and humidity were expected to continue, with the maximum temperature likely to reach 40 degrees Celsius.

The current temperature in Lahore was recorded at 36 degrees Celsius, while humidity stood at 49%, resulting in a perceived temperature of 43 degrees Celsius that could rise to 47 degrees Celsius during the day. The wind was blowing at 8 kilometres per hour.

The Meteorological Department said there was no chance of rain in Lahore and advised residents to avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun, drink more water and take precautions against the heat.

In Taxila, strong winds and heavy rain lowered temperatures but caused power outages in several areas.

Heavy rainfall also lashed Dera Ghazi Khan, where the roof of a room collapsed in Aman Mela village in Tehsil Darazinda during a windstorm, injuring four women and two children.

In Haripur, rising inflows from upper districts pushed the water level at Tarbela Dam to 1,499.21 feet, around 97 feet above dead level, according to the dam administration.

Water inflow was recorded at 211,000 cusecs, while outflow stood at 162,400 cusecs.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued an alert warning that additional water could be released from Tarbela Dam within the next two days due to increasing inflows into the Indus River.

The authority instructed the district administrations of Swabi and Nowshera to remain on high alert and take precautionary measures.

The PDMA advised the public to avoid visiting riverbanks and warned against swimming, boating and fishing in rivers. Parents were also urged not to allow children to go near the water.

In Sindh, rain accompanied by strong winds swept through Gambat and surrounding areas, raising concerns over possible damage to the date palm crop.

Heavy rain also followed strong winds in Kot Addu, where low-lying neighbourhoods were submerged and streets and roads in several areas were flooded.

According to Rescue 1122, the house caved in after torrential rainfall, trapping 14 people beneath the rubble.

Rescue teams from Kohat and Karak launched an operation and successfully pulled all those trapped from the debris.

The deceased were identified as 50-year-old Basmina, 45-year-old Nawab Jana, Farmina, and four-year-old Arham. Rescue officials said women and children were among the worst affected.

The injured were provided first aid at the scene before being shifted to various hospitals for treatment.

Rescue 1122 said four ambulances from Kohat and two from Karak took part in the operation, which was completed after all victims were recovered from the collapsed structure.

The incident comes as monsoon rains continue to batter several parts of Pakistan, triggering flash floods, damaging homes and disrupting daily life.

Earlier on Monday, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) warned that additional water could be released from Tarbela Dam within the next two days due to rising inflows into the Indus River.

District administrations in Swabi and Nowshera were directed to remain on alert, while the public was advised to stay away from riverbanks and avoid swimming, boating and fishing.

Elsewhere, strong winds and heavy rain caused power outages in Taxila, while a roof collapse in Dera Ghazi Khan injured six people, including four women and two children.

Heavy rain also inundated low-lying areas in Kot Addu, and strong winds in Sindh’s Gambat raised concerns about damage to the date palm crop.

Water levels rose to more than two metres on roads in Kuancheng, a county in Hebei, according to a resident’s account that was broadcast by local official media.

Kuancheng is home to around 240,000 people and is located on the banks of the Luan River.

Several cars ​were filmed crashing into each other in Kuancheng as they bobbed up and down on a waterlogged road before being carried away by ​the strength of the current.

The floods came after Typhoon Bavi, the most powerful storm to strike mainland China this year, brought ⁠heavy rain to the eastern coast and violent winds to the area’s densely populated cities, testing the country’s ability to cope with extreme weather.

Authorities ​warned the storm would dump torrential rain across the provinces of Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu and Anhui, exacerbating flood risks in areas that had already ​been soaked by earlier downpours.

Around 1,800 villagers in Kuancheng were stranded, state broadcaster CCTV reported, while authorities said that relocating and resettling residents was their top priority.

In Liaoning, authorities raised the red alert for flash floods, warning of very high risks.

“During a red alert for heavy rain, all work stoppages, business closures, and gatherings must be ​fully implemented,” Hebei authorities said in a statement on WeChat.

Swimming, paddleboarding

Videos on RedNote, known in China as Xiaohongshu, showed a person swimming backstroke down a ​road in Shenyang, Liaoning, with the rows of parked cars on the side of the street almost completely submerged by the water.

Another clip on RedNote showed someone standing ‌on a ⁠paddleboard to navigate the flooded streets.

A man was also filmed wake surfing behind a car on a wide road that had been inundated with water in Shenyang, a video on China’s WeChat showed.

In a separate clip, police could be seen pushing a submerged car through the city’s floods.

Many train services in Shenyang were also suspended, China Railway said on Monday, with more than 30 railway sections affected.

Schools have also been closed across many areas, including the northeastern ​province of Jilin.

Some areas in northeastern China ​will experience thunderstorms or hailstorms ⁠of Force 8 or above, CCTV reported, citing the country’s Central Meteorological Observatory.

“In some areas of central and northern Jiangsu, thunderstorm winds of level 10 or above will occur, with maximum winds reaching force 11 or above, and ​tornadoes may occur locally,” it said. Force 11 winds can reach speeds of up to 117 kph.

Bavi, ​covering an area the ⁠size of France, formed in the Pacific Ocean 13 days ago.

Its structure remained largely intact on Monday even after making landfall in eastern China on Saturday night, making it the longest-lasting tropical cyclone in the Asia-Pacific region this year.

Its longevity is largely due to its unusually well-preserved warm core, Chinese meteorologists ⁠say, allowing ​Bavi to retain much of its moisture as it churns north towards the Korean peninsula.

​Intense rainfall is expected when Bavi, currently classified as a tropical storm, slows further and starts to release all the moisture that it has been holding.

Forty-six rivers nationwide are experiencing flooding ​above warning levels, CCTV reported, citing China’s Ministry of Water Resources.

The fire broke out alongside ​a highway near Fontainebleau, home to one of France’s best-known royal palaces, which ​once served as a hunting lodge and autumn residence for past monarchs. ⁠

By midnight, the flames had scorched more than 800 hectares, fanned by hot ​winds.

Just 70 kilometres from Paris, the blaze forced the closure of the A6 highway ​linking Paris with Lyon and the south.

Smaller fires in the area also disrupted high-speed train services.

“The fight continues today,” the French fire service said on X. Local residents have been warned that the Canadair ​planes will have to scoop water from the river Seine, which flows through central ​Paris.

European countries are worried about increasingly frequent heatwaves and record-breaking temperatures.

Most scientists say the fires are ‌driven ⁠by climate change, with large swathes of continental Europe parched.

Wildfires have already ripped through regions of France, Spain, Portugal and Greece, charring thousands of hectares of land.

The death toll from a blaze that swept through Spain’s southeastern Almeria province rose to 13 over the ​weekend, when a 93-year-old British ​woman died of ⁠burns.

Western Europe is gripped by its third prolonged spell of baking temperatures this summer.

A heatwave in late June likely killed thousands of ​people, with countries reporting more than 10,000 excess deaths.

Power supplies ​were disrupted, ⁠schools shut and temperature records broken in France, Spain and Britain.

“To have this kind of excess at this time of year is unusual. It’s really high,” said Lasse Vestergaard, chief ⁠physician at ​Denmark’s Statens Serum Institut, which hosts EuroMOMO, a Europe-wide ​mortality surveillance system.

“It is difficult to explain this high excess mortality by anything but the extreme heat,” Vestergaard ​told Reuters.

The vast majority — more ​than 9,000 — were among people aged 65 and above, according to data published by ‌EuroMOMO, a network backed by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organisation.

Extreme heat can kill by causing heat stroke, or aggravating cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, with older people among the most ​vulnerable.

“To have this kind of excess at this time of year is unusual. It’s ​really high,” Lasse Vestergaard, Chief Physician at Denmark’s Statens Serum Institut, which hosts ⁠EuroMOMO, told Reuters.

“It is difficult to explain this high excess mortality by anything but the extreme ​heat,” Vestergaard added.

Scientists have said the late-June heatwave would have been “virtually impossible” without human-caused climate change, ​which is making heatwaves more frequent and intense.

The data, pooled from national mortality statistics in 27 European countries, included excess deaths from all causes, not just heat-related ones, during the week of June 22 to 28, when ​the heatwave peaked in France, Spain, Britain and other countries.

But scientists said there were no other ​known major factors, such as COVID-19 outbreaks, that would have contributed to the spike to 10,650 excess deaths in that week.

The ‌same ⁠European countries’ combined mortality over the previous eight weeks was, on average, around 500 deaths per week below typical levels.

The EuroMOMO data could be revised in future weeks as more data comes in.

The extreme heatwave at the end of June disrupted power supplies, shut schools, and smashed temperature ​records in France, Spain ​and the UK.

EuroMOMO does ⁠not publish excess deaths per individual country, but it noted that France and Belgium were the only two countries in Europe to log “very high ​excess” mortality in the last week of June.

Belgium’s excess mortality was the ​highest during any ⁠heatwave in records going back to 2000, according to the country’s public health institute Sciensano.

A separate scientific study, published on Monday, estimated 2,700 people died from heat-related causes in England and Wales alone during ⁠the ​May and June heatwaves.

Of those deaths, 42% were caused by ​the extra heat that global warming contributed to the heatwaves, according to the findings by Imperial College London, the UK ​Met Office and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

According to a PDMA spokesperson, rain is likely in various districts, including Rawalpindi, Attock, Murree, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib and Faisalabad.

Likewise, rain in other districts of Punjab, including Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, Kasur, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Vehari, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addo, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah and Bhakkar, has also been predicted.

The PDMA DG said that on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, an alert has been issued to the commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province, while all relevant departments, Rescue 1122, WASA and other relief agencies have been directed to be fully prepared to deal with the emergency.

According to the PDMA, the provincial control room and district emergency operation centres of all districts are monitoring the situation round the clock.

Instructions have also been issued to ensure immediate drainage of water from low-lying areas and choking points.

The PDMA has appealed to the citizens to stay away from electric poles and hanging wires during rain, avoid going into shabby and dilapidated houses and never let children go near water accumulated in low-lying areas.