Recent heavy monsoon floods and landslides in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir have resulted in at least 194 confirmed fatalities over a 24-hour period. The majority of these deaths, totaling 180, occurred in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, situated in the northwestern part of Pakistan. The recent floods have also led to the destruction of approximately 30 homes, and a tragic incident involving a rescue helicopter that crashed, resulting in the death of all five crew members.
In addition, nine individuals lost their lives in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, with five fatalities reported in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region. Government meteorologists have forecasted continued heavy rainfall in the northwest until August 21, leading several areas to be declared disaster zones.
Local resident Azizullah described the overwhelming impact of the floods in Buner, noting the intense noise and shaking of the ground that accompanied the disaster, which he likened to an apocalyptic event. The chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gadapur, indicated that the helicopter crash was attributed to adverse weather conditions while navigating toward Bajaur, a region near the Afghanistan border.
In the Indian-administered portion of Kashmir, rescue teams have been working to recover bodies from mud and debris after a flood swept through a Himalayan village, resulting in at least 60 fatalities and further missing persons.
Typically, the monsoon season in South Asia, spanning from June to September, contributes to about three-quarters of the annual rainfall. Historically, the region experiences significant landslides and flooding, with over 300 deaths recorded in this year’s events. Recent data from July indicated that Punjab, home to nearly half of Pakistan’s population, received 73% more rainfall than the previous year, leading to additional casualties. Experts suggest that climate change may be exacerbating the frequency and severity of such extreme weather events.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn02g0n2kepo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss