Additional Coverage:
- Pakistan defends flood response after over 270 people are killed in northwestern district (nbcnews.com)
Devastating Flash Floods Claim Lives in Kashmir and Pakistan
Tragic flash floods, triggered by torrential monsoon rains, have swept through regions of Kashmir and Pakistan, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming the lives of numerous people. Officials in Indian-controlled Kashmir reported at least seven fatalities and five injuries following floods in two villages in the Kathua district.
Rescue teams are also working tirelessly in the remote village of Chositi, searching for dozens still missing after last week’s devastating floods during an annual Hindu pilgrimage. The earlier floods in Chositi resulted in at least 60 deaths and 150 injuries, while over 300 individuals were rescued.
In Pakistan, the northwestern district of Buner has been particularly hard hit, with over 270 lives lost. Emergency service spokesman Mohammad Suhail reported 54 bodies recovered in the mountainous region, and search efforts continue for missing villagers.
Homes were flattened by the powerful torrents of water carrying boulders that crashed through villages. Authorities are warning of further deluges and potential landslides in the coming days, urging local administrations to remain vigilant.
The country has been battered by higher-than-normal monsoon rains since June 26, resulting in over 600 deaths.
Controversy surrounds the official response to the disaster in Buner, with residents claiming a lack of adequate warning. The traditional method of broadcasting warnings from mosque loudspeakers was not utilized, leaving many trapped and unprepared.
The government maintains that the sudden and intense nature of the downpour made timely warnings impossible, despite existing early warning systems. Lt.
Gen. Inam Haider, chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority, attributed the shifting weather patterns to climate change, noting that Pakistan has experienced 50% more rainfall this monsoon season compared to last year.
He cautioned that more intense weather is anticipated, with heavy rains forecast to continue throughout the month.
While officials defend their response, some residents recount harrowing escapes and lament the loss of life and property. Mohammad Iqbal, a schoolteacher in Pir Baba village, emphasized the critical need for a timely warning system to prevent future tragedies.
He shared that survivors escaped with nothing and that advanced warning could have saved lives and allowed residents to move to safety. Disaster management officials maintain that early warning systems using satellite imagery and meteorological data are in place, with alerts disseminated through media and community leaders.
However, they acknowledge the increasing challenge of urban flooding resulting from monsoon rains.
Recovery efforts are underway in Buner, with crews working to clear debris and reopen roads. Heavy machinery is being used to remove rubble from collapsed homes as families search for missing relatives.
One family in the village of Qadar Nagar tragically lost 24 members on the eve of a wedding. The head of the family, Umar Khan, survived as he was away from the house at the time, but four of his relatives remain missing.
Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate-induced disasters has been highlighted once again by this tragedy. Following the record-breaking monsoon season of 2022, which claimed nearly 1,700 lives and destroyed millions of homes, the country continues to grapple with the devastating effects of climate change.
Experts emphasize the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, as Pakistan contributes less than 1% of global emissions yet faces increasingly frequent and severe extreme weather events. These include heat waves, heavy rains, glacial outburst floods, and now, the deadly cloudbursts that can devastate communities within hours.