7 killed, 27 injured as monsoon rains lash Pakistan's Punjab

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ISLAMABAD -- At least seven people were killed and 27 others injured in rain-related incidents over the past 24 hours as heavy monsoon rains lashed Pakistan's eastern Punjab province, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said late Thursday night.

The fatalities included two men who drowned in Jhelum, a child each in Okara and Bahawalnagar, two people killed in a wall collapse in Muzaffargarh, and one person struck by lightning in Khanewal, the PDMA said.

Additional incidents of injuries were reported from Multan, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Shorkot, and Mandi Bahauddin, mostly caused by roof and wall collapses or electrocution.

The disaster authority urged residents to take precautionary measures and announced financial assistance for the victims' families in line with a government policy.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast continued monsoon rains across the country until July 1, warning of 25 percent above-normal rainfall this season, increasing the risk of urban flooding, especially in low-lying areas.