Flash floods update

A cloudburst triggers deadly floods in north-west Pakistan and floods in Indian-administered Kashmir, causing casualties and widespread damage.

Flash floods kill at least 159 in Pakistan after cloudburst

A cloudburst over north-west Pakistan has set off flash floods that have killed at least 159 people, with authorities reporting 78 bodies recovered in Buner district by noon and a further 79 later from damaged homes and flooded villages. Officials say the death toll may rise as search operations continue for dozens of missing residents. The disaster comes amid a season that has already seen hundreds of rain-related deaths since June. In Bajaur district a helicopter carrying relief supplies was lost to bad weather, killing all five on board.

Across the border in Indian-administered Kashmir, more than 60 people died in flash floods in the Chositi area of Kishtwar district as rescue teams evacuated thousands of pilgrims and residents. Officials say the rescue operation was halted overnight and may resume as weather allows. The floods damaged makeshift kitchens and homes along the pilgrimage route, suggesting the vulnerability of transport links and temporary shelters in high-risk zones. Experts warn that such events are becoming more common in the Himalayan region, driven in part by climate change and by unplanned development in mountain areas.

These events show how climate change is reshaping weather in the mountains. Intense, localized downpours overwhelm small basins and sweep away villages before people can react. They also expose gaps in safety planning, from early warnings to resilient infrastructure, especially for vulnerable sites like pilgrimage routes and tourist towns. The cross-border element adds urgency to regional cooperation on data sharing and disaster response, even as authorities warn of more heavy rain to come.

Highlights

Authorities say rescue work will continue as weather permits.