Devastating flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains have killed at least 337 people in northwestern Pakistan, with dozens still missing, according to the National Disaster Management Authority.
Rescue teams are working tirelessly in affected areas, including the remote village of Chositi in Kishtwar district, where 60 people died and 150 were injured.
In Buner district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, 54 bodies were recovered after torrential rains and cloudbursts caused massive flooding on Friday.
Several villagers remain unaccounted for as search operations continue in areas where homes were destroyed by raging waters carrying large boulders. Authorities have warned of further flooding and landslides in the coming days.
Since June 26, unusually intense monsoon rains have claimed over 600 lives across Pakistan. Similar extreme weather events have also struck Indian-administered Kashmir, where cloudbursts triggered deadly floods.
On Friday, at least 60 people died when a sudden deluge swept through a Himalayan village, washing away a makeshift kitchen where pilgrims had gathered. Another seven fatalities were reported in the Kathua district after flash floods hit two villages.
Al Jazeera correspondent Kamal Hyder reported from Mingora that entire families were lost in the disaster, including 28 relatives attending a wedding in Qadar Nagar village. The floods have caused extensive infrastructure damage, with recovery efforts expected to take weeks.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life in both India and Pakistan, offering condolences to the victims’ families and pledging UN support for relief efforts. With climate change intensifying monsoon patterns, the region faces growing threats from extreme weather events. Authorities urge vigilance as more storms are forecast in the coming days.
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cc: Al Jazeera
