"Death Toll Rises as Monsoon Floods Devastate Pakistan and Kashmir"
The death toll from the catastrophic monsoon floods and landslides in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir continues to climb, with 307 fatalities now confirmed. The majority of these deaths have been reported in the mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in north-west Pakistan, where at least 74 homes have been damaged. Tragically, a rescue helicopter crashed during operations, resulting in the deaths of its five crew members.
In addition to the casualties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, nine more people lost their lives in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, while five fatalities were reported in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, according to authorities.
Government forecasters have warned of continued heavy rainfall until 21 August in the northwest, where several areas have been declared disaster zones. In Buner, a survivor recounted the harrowing experience to AFP, describing the floods as akin to "doomsday."
"I heard a loud noise as if the mountain was sliding. I rushed outside and saw the entire area shaking, like it was the end of the world," said Azizullah. "The ground was trembling due to the force of the water, and it felt like death was staring me in the face."
Ali Amin Gadapur, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, confirmed that the M-17 helicopter crashed due to adverse weather conditions while en route to Bajaur, a region bordering Afghanistan. In Bajaur, a crowd gathered around an excavator working to clear a mud-soaked hill, as funeral prayers commenced nearby for those who perished, with several bodies covered by blankets.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has declared a day of mourning in response to the tragedy.
In the Indian-administered part of Kashmir, rescuers have been recovering bodies from mud and rubble after a flood swept through a Himalayan village, claiming at least 60 lives and washing away dozens more.
Monsoon rains, which occur between June and September, account for approximately three-quarters of South Asia's annual rainfall. Unfortunately, landslides and flooding are common during this season, with over 300 fatalities reported in this year's monsoon period alone.
In July, Punjab, home to nearly half of Pakistan's 255 million population, experienced 73% more rainfall than the previous year, resulting in more deaths than in the entire previous monsoon season.
Scientists have indicated that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events, contributing to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.