Floods caused by monsoon rains that began in June have killed at least 1,061 people in Pakistan, according to the latest figures released on Monday by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), AFP and Agerpres reported.

According to the NDMA, 28 people have died in the past 24 hours, but authorities are still trying to reach isolated villages in the mountainous regions of the country’s north, which could further increase the death toll.

According to the government, more than 33 million people, or one in seven Pakistanis, were affected by the floods and about a million houses were destroyed or badly damaged. The NDMA said more than 80,000 hectares of arable land had been devastated.

More than 3,400 kilometers of roads and 149 bridges were also damaged, which took away the water.

The monsoon, which usually lasts from June to September, is essential to irrigate plantations and restore the Indian subcontinent’s water resources, but every year it also brings tragedy and destruction.

“Unprecedented” flood in Pakistan

But despite the regularity of monsoons, Pakistan’s new prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, who was sworn in in April, said on Monday that this year’s floods were “unprecedented” in 30 years.

During a visit to the affected areas, he added that the floods are “like an ocean, water is everywhere.”

“We’re watching an ocean of water cover entire neighborhoods,” said Climate Change Secretary Sherry Rehman, who a few days ago referred to the “monster monsoon of the decade.”

“The consequences of climate change are already on our doorstep,” she added.

The government of Pakistan declared a state of emergency and asked for help from the international community.