The death toll in Pakistan's Punjab province is now at 159 after 63 more people died from heavy monsoon rains and at least 300 are injured in, according to authorities on Thursday.

Most victims were crushed by collapsing buildings, while others drowned or were electrocuted, according to the National Disaster Management Authority.

The floods have forced officials in Rawalpindi, near the capital Islamabad, to declare a public holiday to keep residents indoors. Authorities have also ordered evacuations for communities near a swollen river running through the city.

The monsoon season began in late June killing nearly 180 people nationwide, with more than half of the victims children. The downpours have also disrupted transportation, shutting down several expressways across Punjab and causing multiple flight delays and cancellations.

In Chakwal city, where 400mm of rainfall fell within a day, rescue teams used boats and military helicopters to reach people trapped by rising floodwaters.

Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz declared an emergency in several areas and urged the public to follow safety measures as more heavy rains and flash floods are expected over the coming weekend.

Pakistan is highly vulnerable to climate change, facing the dual impacts of extreme heat and drought alongside destructive monsoon rains.

The country has more than 13,000 glaciers which are melting rapidly, worsening water management challenges according to authorities.

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