The tragedy occurred in Jabori, where the three girls were returning home from school when they attempted to cross a seasonal stream flowing from Chattu to Saran, according to local and rescue officials.

The strong current swept the girls away. Rescue teams recovered the bodies of two girls near the NADRA office in Jabori, while the third was rescued safely.

The deceased girls, aged between seven and eight years, were identified as the daughters of Qari Shafiq, son of Muhammad Ashraf, and Ashiq Hussain, son of Abdul Jalil, both residents of Karak. Rescue workers and local residents took part in the search operation.

The incident came as monsoon rains continued to batter Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore and several districts of Punjab, disrupting daily life and causing widespread urban flooding.

Low-lying areas inundated

Heavy rain submerged several low-lying neighbourhoods in Rawalpindi, including Dhoke Khaba, Chaklala, Kutchery and Liaquat Bagh, with rainwater entering homes and shops.

A six-year-old boy was also swept away by a rainwater drain on Gorja Road. Rescue teams were continuing search operations at the time of filing this report.

The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) said emergency drainage operations were under way using water pumps and heavy machinery to clear flooded areas.

In Islamabad, persistent rainfall disrupted traffic and affected normal life in several parts of the federal capital.

Lahore and several other districts of Punjab also received heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds, bringing relief from hot and humid weather but causing traffic congestion and waterlogging.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the highest rainfall in Lahore was recorded in Shadman and Shadipura (55mm), followed by Gulberg (54mm), Mughalpura (50mm) and Tajpura (34mm).

Heavy rain was also reported in Farooqabad, Renala Khurd, Sheikhupura, Chak Jhumra, Kamoke, Nankana Sahib, Sharqpur Sharif, Dina and Bahawalnagar.

In Kamoke, water accumulated on the service road, GT Road and underpasses, severely disrupting traffic. Rain also caused power outages in several cities after multiple electricity feeders tripped.

More rain forecast

The PMD has forecast more heavy rainfall on Tuesday in upper Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

It also warned of urban flooding and landslides in Murree and Galiyat, while southern Punjab, Sindh and most parts of Balochistan are expected to remain hot and humid.

Authorities have also opened the spillways of Tarbela Dam, with water inflows expected to increase from 220,000 to 245,000 cusecs. Residents living along the Indus River have been advised to avoid riverbanks and waterways due to the expected rise in water levels.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has directed all relevant agencies to remain on high alert and urged the public to take precautionary measures.

Rain-related death toll reaches 136

According to the NDMA, 10 people were killed and two others injured in rain-related incidents across Pakistan over the past 24 hours.

Five of the latest fatalities, including three children, were reported from Sindh, while Punjab recorded three deaths, including two children.

Since June 26, monsoon-related incidents have claimed at least 136 lives and injured 418 people nationwide. The fatalities include 63 children and 26 women.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains the worst-hit province, with 57 deaths, including 27 children, while mountainous areas continue to face landslides and flash flooding.

Punjab has recorded 50 deaths and 308 injuries, largely due to roof collapses and other rain-related incidents.

Sindh has reported 10 deaths and eight injuries, while 10 people have died and five others were injured in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Balochistan has recorded eight fatalities and 15 injuries, with flash floods continuing in streams across the Sulaiman Range and northern districts.

The NDMA said more than 1,150 houses had been partially or completely damaged, while 545 livestock had perished.

Floods have also damaged infrastructure, affecting 37 bridges and around 25 kilometres of roads nationwide.

Flooding persists at Ganda Singh Wala on the Sutlej River, while medium to high flood levels are expected at Balloki Headworks on the Ravi River. Authorities have issued alerts for villages around Lahore as well as Kasur, Okara and Pakpattan districts.

The NDMA and provincial disaster management authorities have established more than 75 relief camps in Punjab and other affected areas to accommodate displaced residents.

Rescue 1122, district administrations and other emergency services remain on high alert. Authorities have advised people to stay away from rivers, streams, electricity poles and unsafe buildings, and to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rainfall.