Floods and rain-triggered incidents killed 23 people and injured six across Pakistan in the space of just 24 hours, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Friday.
The eastern Punjab province reported 22 deaths, including seven children and three women, all caused by flooding. In Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, one child was killed in a landslide.
More than 1.5 million people have been affected by the recent floods, according to the NDMA.
In Lahore, the country's second-largest city, townhouses and villas have been submerged in a private housing community, with the flood water being close to one-meter-deep in some cases.
Locals living along the banks of River Ravi saw that flood defenses have proved ineffective, with many residents unable to get back home amid rising water levels.
"It wasn't this bad yesterday, but it has been raining continuously and the river has risen. The societies' [housing community's] owners took a lot of money from us to build a protective wall along the Ravi River. They said it will protect our houses. But it has collapsed. I'm really worried now," said a local resident named Adil.
In addition, some people have been left stranded inside their homes without any electricity and can only await rescue from the authorities as the floodwaters show little signs of receding.
Since the start of the monsoon season in late June, at least 842 people have died and over 1,110 others have been injured in rain-related incidents, according to data from the NDMA. The northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has reported the highest casualties, followed by Punjab.
Authorities warned that another spell of torrential rains is expected in the coming days, raising the risk of further flooding.
Severe flooding leaves 23 dead in Pakistan with more torrential rain forecast
The organizing committee of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games has unveiled the titles, creative visions, and first talents of the opening and closing ceremonies, as Thursday marked 50 days before the event officially gets underway.
Scheduled from March 6 to 15 across multiple Italian cities, the Games will bring together 665 athletes from 50 countries and regions to compete for 79 gold medals across six sporting disciplines.
The opening ceremony, titled "Life in Motion," will be staged at the historic Arena di Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, presenting a tribute to change and transformation that seeks to redefine disability through a new harmony between people and the environment.
"I paid close attention to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which I consider one of the three or four most beautiful in the history of Olympic ceremonies. This time at the ancient Arena di Verona, we will place greater emphasis on showcasing the human element," the ceremonies' artistic director Alfredo Accatino told a Chinese reporter at the event.
The closing ceremony, themed "Italian Souvenir," will be held on March 15 at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, guiding athletes, volunteers, and fans through a journey that captures the emotions and memories of the Games after days of competition and achievement.
Craig Spence, the International Paralympic Committee's Chief Brand and Communications Officer, believes that Italy will deliver "the best Paralympic Games" following the benchmark set by the Beijing Winter Paralympics in 2022.
"I think what China did in Beijing has really set the benchmark for all future teams competing in the Paralympic Winter Games in terms of performance. That's why I think Milano-Cortina will be the best Paralympic Games we've ever seen for sports," he said.
Milano-Cortina Paralympics reveal opening, closing themes as Games draw near
