PESHAWAR: intense monsoon rains combined with the bursting of glacial lakes have led to catastrophic floods, landslides, and mudslides across various regions of Pakistan, resulting in the loss of 167 lives in the past 24 hours. The fatalities include 185 men, 12 children, and 8 women.
The hardest-hit areas are in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where 146 deaths occurred across five districts, with Buner facing the highest toll of 78 casualties. Other districts such as Bajaur, Mansehra, Battagram, and Swat also reported significant casualties, with landslides and floods destroying homes and damaging infrastructure.
In Bajaur, 21 individuals lost their lives, and several remain missing after a cloudburst triggered landslides and destroyed homes. Lower Dir saw five deaths due to roof collapses caused by heavy rainfall, while in Mansehra, at least 14 lives were claimed following a cloudburst and subsequent floods, with additional fatalities from car accidents and house collapses. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with teams working tirelessly to recover missing persons and assist stranded residents.
In Gilgit Baltistan, multiple glacial lakes burst, leading to flash floods and several people reported missing. Notably, five individuals, including a woman, were swept away in Ghadar, while seven others went missing in Gopus Khilty. River Indus also overflowed its banks near Chilas, submerging several homes and prompting residents to build makeshift embankments in the absence of governmental aid.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir experienced widespread destruction due to a cloudburst, with six deaths reported in Naseerabad. Floodwaters washed away bridges and roads, while in Neelum Valley, three bridges and two guesthouses were destroyed. A tourist’s motorcycle was swept away in the floodwaters, and water levels in the River Neelum surged dangerously.
The crisis has also stranded around 500 tourists, including an AJK Minister, in Neelum Valley due to blocked roads. Rescue teams have successfully evacuated 60 individuals from the area.The Pakistan Army has launched extensive relief and rescue operations across affected zones, evacuating civilians and schoolchildren from flooded regions. Their efforts have been widely praised, with images showing soldiers carrying children to safety.
In addition to rescue work, authorities have suspended traffic on certain routes, such as the Malam Jabba Road in Swat, due to landslides. Two sisters in Toba Tek Singh tragically died from electrocution after touching a ceiling fan during the storm, and agricultural lands in Arifwala suffered significant damage after River Sutlej overflowed its banks.
The situation remains tense as floodwaters continue to rise in some areas, including Taunsa Barrage, where inflows are high. Roads remain blocked in several locations, including the Jaglot-Skardu route, which has been shut due to landslides. Relief agencies are actively working to clear debris and reopen key roads.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to expedite rescue efforts in Battagram and other affected districts, emphasizing the importance of providing medical aid and relief supplies. President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed his condolences and urged swift action to assist the victims and facilitate their recovery.
This natural disaster underscores Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change, with scientists warning that such extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe. The ongoing monsoon season continues to threaten lives, agriculture, and infrastructure across the country
