Flash floods claim hundreds in India and Pakistan

A cloudburst in the Himalayan region triggers flash floods across India and Pakistan, killing hundreds and forcing large scale evacuations.

Flash floods claim hundreds in India and Pakistan

Flash floods triggered by torrential rains swept through northern Pakistan and Indian Kashmir, killing hundreds and leaving many more missing. Officials in Pakistan reported a rising death toll in the northwest and a surge of rescue operations using boats and helicopters to reach stranded communities. A relief helicopter en route to the flood hit by bad weather crashed, killing all five people on board. In India, floods and landslides disrupted a major Hindu pilgrimage and compelled thousands to evacuate. Authorities say cloudbursts, intense but short lived downpours, are becoming more common in the region, a pattern some scientists tie to climate change and growing development pressures on mountain areas. Top leaders offered condolences and vowed swift relief as the search and rescue effort continues.

Experts say the disasters highlight a broader shift in weather patterns and the vulnerability of mountainous transport routes. Climate change is likely making cloudbursts more intense, while rapid development has limited natural drainage in some valleys. The floods test regional disaster management, emergency coordination, and cross border cooperation as India and Pakistan juggle relief with public communication. The episode also underscores how quickly a humanitarian crisis can escalate when tourism and pilgrimage routes run through fragile terrain. The coming days will show how authorities adapt planning and investment to reduce risk for residents and travelers alike.

Highlights

Recovery will depend on coordinated planning and sustained aid