Pakistan (Commonwealth Union)_ More than 400 people have lost their lives after days of relentless rainfall caused widespread flooding and landslides across Pakistan, Indian-administered Kashmir, and Nepal. Accordingly, officials fear that the death toll could rise further, with many still missing and emergency teams struggling to reach cut-off areas. In Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the situation is especially dire. Flash floods swept through at least ten villages in the Buner district, leaving at least 321 people dead in just 48 hours, according to local authorities. Landslides have destroyed roads and rendered large areas inaccessible.
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Rescue workers are digging through piles of rubble in search of survivors. Bilal Faizi, a spokesperson, described the scene in Buner as completely devastated. He said more than 120 bodies have been pulled from debris in that area alone. “A few days ago, this was a lively community. Now it’s just rocks, mud, and silence,” he added. Tragedy struck again during rescue efforts when a helicopter delivering aid crashed in the province due to poor weather, killing all five crew members on board. In neighboring Indian-administered Kashmir, the town of Chashoti, known as a popular pilgrimage site, was overwhelmed by sudden floods on Friday. At least 60 people were confirmed dead, and more than 200 others were reported missing. Social media videos showed powerful water currents tearing through streets and sweeping away buildings and vehicles.
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Further east in Nepal, at least 41 people have died recently, with over 120 injured, according to the country’s disaster response agency. Torrential rains and massive landslides have damaged large parts of rural communities there, with homes and farms thoroughly washed away. These disasters come amid a particularly aggressive monsoon season that began in early June. Experts say climate change is playing a role in intensifying both the frequency and severity of weather events in the Himalayan region. Additionally, a recent study by World Weather Attribution found that rainfall in Pakistan from late June to late July was up to 15% heavier than normal due to global warming.
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The rain is expected to continue. Pakistan’s Meteorological Department warned that conditions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could worsen starting Sunday, with more flash floods and urban flooding likely. In India, officials said that last week’s extreme rainfall was caused by a rare cloudburst, an intense downpour of more than 100 mm of rain within an hour. In Buner, survivors are still in shock. One 75-year-old resident described seeing eight bodies pulled from the mud in a single day. “Everything is gone. Homes, shops, people. Nothing is left,” he said. Mass funerals have been held in Buner, where officials report 184 dead so far. In Shangla, a neighboring area, a roof collapse caused by the heavy rain killed 34 people, according to provincial officials. Furthermore, over 1,300 tourists have been evacuated from nearby mountain areas in the Mansehra district.
Across the region, rescue efforts continue. Army and police teams are working around the clock to locate the missing, provide medical care, and deliver supplies. Temporary shelters have been set up for families who have lost their homes, and medical camps are treating survivors. Meanwhile, in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, search and rescue teams are combing through mountainous terrain to locate dozens still unaccounted for. Entire community centers and homes in the foothills have been washed away. The annual Machail Yatra pilgrimage, which passes through some of the hardest-hit areas, has been suspended. Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah canceled several Independence Day events in light of the disaster.
In a separate incident earlier this month, flash floods in India’s Uttarakhand state also claimed lives, underlining the growing vulnerability of Himalayan communities during the monsoon season. As efforts continue, officials across all three countries warn that the region is not yet out of the clear, with more rain forecasted in the coming days. Pakistan’s disaster management office has issued new advisories for glacial lake outburst floods in the north, advising tourists to avoid vulnerable areas. The National Disaster Management Authority reports that the additional fatalities raise the overall number of rain-related deaths to 556 since June 26. In 2022, the country’s worst monsoon season on record killed over 1,700 people and cost an estimated $40 billion in damages.
