Catastrophic monsoon floods in northern Pakistan result in nearly 400 fatalities

Floods and Landslides Wreak Havoc in Pakistan

Heavy monsoon rains have caused widespread destruction in Pakistan, sweeping away entire villages in the north and damaging hundreds of houses in various districts. The most affected regions include Balochistan, where between 40 and 50 houses have been damaged.

The devastating floods have claimed the lives of more than 700 people since June 26, with close to 1,000 injured. In the northern regions, dozens more deaths have been reported, bringing the total to nearly 400 in just five days.

Umar Islam, a 31-year-old laborer, lost his father in the floods on Monday. In less than 20 minutes, Akbar's village was reduced to ruins due to the floods. Many residents are still missing, and rescuers are searching for both survivors and the bodies of the missing.

Communication remains difficult in flood-affected areas due to phone network disruptions. Roads have been damaged, making it difficult for rescuers to reach the affected areas. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Pakistan is the primary organization responsible for coordinating rescue and relief efforts during the recent floods and avalanche debris disaster in Pakistan.

In the southern parts of Pakistan, heavy rain has begun falling, previously spared by the monsoon downpours. Amir Hyder Laghari, chief meteorologist of the southern Sindh province, fears urban flooding in big cities such as Karachi due to weak infrastructure. Rush hour drivers in Karachi have been caught in rising waters during the rain, and multiple neighborhoods have experienced power cuts.

Torrential rain continues in Pakistan, with authorities warning it will last until the weekend. The rain has affected 15 districts in neighboring Balochistan province, blocking the main highway for heavy vehicles. Rescuers are digging through mud and stone in hard-hit Dalori village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Pakistan is among the world's most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change and is increasingly facing extreme weather events. Fazal Akbar, another villager, describes the aftermath of the floods as "terrifying."

The NDMA reports 356 deaths in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since Thursday evening. The monsoon rains are expected to continue until Saturday, and another spell is expected by the end of the month. Despite the ongoing challenges, the NDMA and other rescue teams are working tirelessly to provide aid and support to the affected communities.