Pakistan Grapples with Deadly Flash Floods; Kashmir Also Affected as Death Toll Climbs
Pakistan Grapples with Deadly Flash Floods; Kashmir Also Affected as Death Toll Climbs
Pakistan is grappling with the devastating aftermath of torrential monsoon rains and flash floods that have claimed over 270 lives in a single northwestern district, with hundreds more killed nationwide since June. Authorities are defending their response amidst accusations of inadequate early warnings, as search and rescue operations continue for missing villagers.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province’s mountainous Buner district, at least 54 bodies were recovered after massive flooding triggered by cloudbursts on Friday. Entire homes were flattened by torrents of water and boulders, leaving many residents missing. Emergency services spokesman Mohammad Suhail confirmed ongoing search efforts, particularly in areas where homes were destroyed.
The National Disaster Management Authority chairman, Lt. Gen. Inam Haider, stated that Pakistan is experiencing shifting weather patterns due to climate change, with monsoon rainfall already 50% higher than last year. Despite an early warning system, officials claim the sudden intensity of the Buner downpour prevented timely alerts, a point of contention for residents who accuse authorities of failing to broadcast warnings.
Adding to the crisis, fresh flash floods in Indian-controlled Kashmir’s Kathua district killed at least seven people and injured five overnight. In Kishtwar district, search teams are still looking for dozens missing from flash floods last week that killed at least 60 during an annual Hindu pilgrimage.
Pakistan, highly vulnerable to climate-induced disasters, faces a grim forecast with warnings of more deluges and potential landslides until Tuesday. Crews are working to clear roads and rubble, but with survivors having lost everything and many families still searching for relatives, including 24 from one family who perished in Qadar Nagar, the long-term impact is severe. Experts warn that climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of such extreme weather events across South Asia.
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