Islamabad: The heavy monsoon rains and flash floods which ravaged Northern Pakistan have led to the death of at least 194, says the country’s disaster management authority.
The hardest-hit region was the mountainous province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the northwest, where 180 fatalities were recorded. Additional deaths were reported in Gilgit-Baltistan (5) and Pakistan-administered Kashmir (9), officials said.
In Buner district alone, 78 people were confirmed dead, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency on Friday. The deluge has destroyed homes, displaced families, and left dozens injured.
A Pakistani military helicopter deployed for rescue operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa crashed as a result of inclement weather conditions, killing all five crew members on board.
“Helicopters are being used to reach areas that are otherwise inaccessible.” Rescue teams evacuated approximately 1,300 stranded tourists from Mansehra district, which was hit by landslides on Thursday.
At least 35 people remain missing, according to local officials. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rain alert for the northwest, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and exposure to vulnerable areas.
The monsoon season, which typically spans June to September, delivers 70 to 80 per cent of South Asia’s annual rainfall. While essential for agriculture, it often brings deadly floods and landslides.
Across the border in India-administered Kashmir, rescue efforts continued Friday after sudden floods killed at least 60 people and left 200 missing.
The village of Chasoti was inundated by mudslides and floodwaters on Thursday, sweeping away pilgrims gathered for lunch before trekking to a religious site. It was the second such disaster in the Himalayas in just over a week.
Experts warn that the frequency and intensity of such events are increasing, with climate change playing a significant role in altering weather patterns across the region.
