ISLAMABAD — At least 299 people, including 140 children, have been killed in rain-related incidents across Pakistan since the onset of the monsoon season on June 26, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Sunday.

The NDMA reported that more than 700 others have been injured as torrential rains triggered flash floods and landslides in multiple regions. Of the 715 injured, 239 were children, 204 were women, and 272 were men.

Almost half of the fatalities were recorded in Punjab province, with the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) registering the second-highest death toll.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned of a fresh spell of heavy rain and thunderstorms in Punjab, KP, and Pakistan-administered Kashmir starting Monday, prompting rescue agencies to prepare for possible emergencies.

Monsoon rains regularly cause destruction across South Asia, but experts say their unpredictability and intensity have worsened in recent years due to climate change. — Agencies