ISLAMABAD, July 24: Over 20 people died as monsoon rains triggered floods and landslides in many parts of the country and Azad Kashmir on Monday. While the rain was heaviest in Islamabad (200mm), a mudslide killed at least 12 people, including eight children, living in tents in Muzaffarabad. Punjab and the NWFP were also lashed by torrential rains.

Weathermen said more rains were expected in the same area and in Sindh over the next 24 hours. They warned that the areas affected by the Oct 8, 2005 earthquake would remain vulnerable to landslides.

The rains wrought havoc on the country’s communications links, electricity networks and transport systems.

Six people lost their lives when their houses on the banks of sewage-filled Nullah Leh, in spate since the onset of the monsoon, collapsed as torrential rains hit Rawalpindi and flood waters inundated the low-lying areas.

A boy drowned in Sialkot’s Nullah Palkhu when he overbalanced and fell into the surging waters of the drain. His father also lost his life when he tried to rescue his drowning son.

Standing pools of rainwater were in evidence in the provincial capitals of Punjab and the NWFP, although the weather turned pleasant following the monsoon rains.