Heavy rains caused landslides and flash floods that killed at least 164 people in northern Pakistan over the past 24 hours, the Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said today.
Most of the deaths, 150, occurred in the mountainous province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Nine people died in the Pakistani-administered area of Kashmir, and 5 died in the Gilgit-Baltistan region.
"A local government Mi-17 helicopter crashed in the Pandiyali area of Mohmand district due to bad weather, while carrying relief goods to rain-affected locations in Bajaur. Five crew members, including two pilots, were killed," said Ali Amin Gandapur, chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The PDMA later said the death toll in the 24-hour period had risen to nearly 200.
Four districts, Buner, Bajaur, Mansehra, and Battagram, have been declared disaster areas. The Pakistan Meteorological Department issued heavy rain warnings for the northwest and urged people to avoid traveling to "vulnerable" areas.
 |
A river overflows its banks after flash floods caused by heavy rains in Mingora town in northwestern Pakistan on 15/8. Photo: AP |
A river overflows its banks after flash floods caused by heavy rains in Mingora town in northwestern Pakistan on 15/8. Photo: AP
The monsoon season in South Asia typically begins in June and eases by the end of September. Three-quarters of the annual rainfall occurs during this season, making it crucial for agriculture and food security in the region. However, landslides and flash floods are common during this period.
Scientists say climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent and intense. Pakistan is one of the countries most affected by climate change, and the frequency of natural disasters there is increasing.
Since the beginning of summer, Pakistan has experienced what officials call "unusual" heavy rains, resulting in more than 320 deaths, half of them children. Most of the deaths were caused by collapsing houses, flash floods, or electrocution.
In July, Punjab province, home to almost half of Pakistan's 255 million people, recorded 73% more rainfall than last year and more deaths than in the entire previous monsoon season combined. In 2022, monsoon floods submerged one-third of Pakistan and killed 1,700 people.
Pham Giang (AFP)
