Flash floods triggered by heavy rains have resulted in the deaths of at least 49 people across various regions of Pakistan over the past 24 hours. The devastation has been particularly severe in the northwestern areas, where officials reported significant casualties and ongoing rescue operations.
In the Gilgit-Baltistan region, ten people died after being swept away by flash floods in the Ghazar district, according to regional government spokesman Faizullah Faraq. Additionally, in the Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, another sixteen individuals, including women and children, lost their lives due to a massive cloudburst that led to flash flooding. Rescue official Amjad Khan reported that seventeen others remain missing following the same incident.
The situation worsened in Battagram, where ten fatalities were confirmed, and eighteen people are still unaccounted for. In Pakistan-administered Kashmir, seven more people died in separate rain-related incidents, as noted by the state disaster management authority.
Rescue Operations Underway
Efforts to rescue stranded individuals are ongoing. Emergency services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa worked tirelessly to evacuate approximately 1,300 tourists trapped in the Siran Valley of Mansehra district due to landslides and flash floods. Bilal Faizi, a provincial emergency service spokesman, indicated that the operation involved extensive coordination among rescue teams.
Since June 26, more than 360 people, predominantly women and children, have died in various rain-related incidents across the country. The persistent heavy rains have caused widespread destruction, triggering landslides along the Karakoram Highway, a vital route for trade and tourism between Pakistan and China.
Worsening Weather Patterns and Future Risks
The National Disaster Management Authority has issued renewed alerts regarding potential glacial lake outburst flooding in northern Pakistan, advising travelers to steer clear of affected regions. A recent study by World Weather Attribution found that rainfall between June 24 and July 23 was 10% to 15% heavier than historical averages, attributed to climate change. Experts warn that extreme weather events, such as cloudbursts, are becoming increasingly frequent in the region.
In the wake of the catastrophic weather, Pakistan is still recovering from the aftermath of last year’s monsoon season, which claimed over 1,700 lives and inflicted an estimated $40 billion in damages. The current situation highlights the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and response strategies in light of changing climate conditions.
As rescue efforts continue, the impact of these floods underscores the vulnerability of communities in Pakistan to natural disasters exacerbated by climate change.
