Unrelenting Rainstorms Cause Over 300 Fatalities in Pakistan and Kashmir
The catastrophic effects of monsoon flooding and landslides in Pakistan and Kashmir are worsening, with the death count now exceeding 307.
The majority of these fatalities took place in the hilly province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, located in the northwest region of Pakistan. Alongside the loss of life, approximately 74 houses were severely damaged, and a rescue helicopter tragically crashed, resulting in the deaths of all five crew members on board.
Death and Devastation Spread Across Regions
In the area of Kashmir governed by Pakistan, nine people lost their lives, while the northern region of Gilgit-Baltistan saw five more fatalities. Weather forecasters have warned of more heavy rain until the third week of August in the nation's northwest, where many regions have been declared disaster areas due to the flooding and landslides.
In the town of Buner, one survivor recounted the horrifying experience of the floods sweeping in like "the apocalypse". "I heard a deafening noise, like a mountain sliding. I ran outside and the entire area was shaking, as if the world was coming to an end," said the survivor named Azizullah. He described the terrifying sensation of the ground trembling under the force of the water, and feeling as though he was staring death in the face.
Rescue Efforts Hampered by Adverse Weather Conditions
The chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gadapur, confirmed that the M-17 helicopter crashed due to poor weather conditions while flying to Bajaur, a region bordering Afghanistan. In Bajaur, a group gathered around an excavator sifting through a mud-soaked hill, with funeral prayers starting nearby. Mourners grieved among bodies covered with blankets. A day of mourning has been declared in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In the part of Kashmir administered by India, rescue workers managed to recover bodies from the mud and debris following a flood that tore through a Himalayan village. This disaster claimed at least 60 lives and left dozens missing.
Monsoon Season's Deadly Impact
The monsoon rains, which occur between June and September, account for approximately three-quarters of South Asia's annual rainfall. Such weather often brings about landslides and flooding, with the current season's death toll surpassing 300.
In July, Punjab, which is home to nearly half of Pakistan's population of 255 million, experienced a rainfall increase of 73% compared to the previous year, and the number of deaths exceeded those of the entire previous monsoon season. Experts suggest that climate change is contributing to more extreme and frequent weather events.