In the wake of devastating flooding and landslides in north-west Pakistan, a local official has reported that at least 209 individuals are still missing in Buner, with concerns that this figure may increase. The disaster has already claimed over 300 lives in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, primarily in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where the majority of fatalities occurred.
Jehangir Khan, spokesperson for the deputy commissioner office of Buner, stated that eight unidentified bodies have been buried due to a lack of surviving family members able to claim them. He noted that many relatives are unable to recover their loved ones' remains due to severely damaged roadways. The situation is dire, as a provincial rescue spokesman conveyed that "10 to 12 entire villages" have been partially buried in the disaster.
Asfandyar Khattak, head of the regional disaster management authority, mentioned several individuals are also missing in the Shangla district. Monsoon rains, which typically last from June to September and contribute to approximately 75% of South Asia's annual rainfall, have led to these devastating events. Experts warn that climate change is intensifying both the frequency and severity of such weather phenomena.
Notably, torrential rains have also impacted Indian-administered Kashmir, where at least 60 people were reported dead from flash flooding just days prior. Moreover, this week in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, nine fatalities were recorded, alongside another five deaths attributed to flooding in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region. Weather forecasts indicate ongoing heavy rainfall in northwest Pakistan, compelling authorities to declare multiple areas as disaster zones.
Pakistan has faced severe consequences from this year's monsoon season since June, with a reported death toll exceeding 650 individuals thus far. In July alone, Punjab—home to around half of Pakistan's 255 million inhabitants—experienced a staggering 73% increase in rainfall compared to the previous year, resulting in more casualties than in the totality of the last monsoon period.
The northern regions of Pakistan, notably some of the most glaciated in the world, are witnessing rapid glacial retreat due to climate change. This phenomenon can lead to destabilized mountain faces and increased landslide risk, with monsoon rains further complicating the situation by blocking rivers and exacerbating flooding. While the precise causes of the recent disasters remain under investigation, glaciologists highlight ice melt as a significant contributing factor.
Jehangir Khan, spokesperson for the deputy commissioner office of Buner, stated that eight unidentified bodies have been buried due to a lack of surviving family members able to claim them. He noted that many relatives are unable to recover their loved ones' remains due to severely damaged roadways. The situation is dire, as a provincial rescue spokesman conveyed that "10 to 12 entire villages" have been partially buried in the disaster.
Asfandyar Khattak, head of the regional disaster management authority, mentioned several individuals are also missing in the Shangla district. Monsoon rains, which typically last from June to September and contribute to approximately 75% of South Asia's annual rainfall, have led to these devastating events. Experts warn that climate change is intensifying both the frequency and severity of such weather phenomena.
Notably, torrential rains have also impacted Indian-administered Kashmir, where at least 60 people were reported dead from flash flooding just days prior. Moreover, this week in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, nine fatalities were recorded, alongside another five deaths attributed to flooding in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region. Weather forecasts indicate ongoing heavy rainfall in northwest Pakistan, compelling authorities to declare multiple areas as disaster zones.
Pakistan has faced severe consequences from this year's monsoon season since June, with a reported death toll exceeding 650 individuals thus far. In July alone, Punjab—home to around half of Pakistan's 255 million inhabitants—experienced a staggering 73% increase in rainfall compared to the previous year, resulting in more casualties than in the totality of the last monsoon period.
The northern regions of Pakistan, notably some of the most glaciated in the world, are witnessing rapid glacial retreat due to climate change. This phenomenon can lead to destabilized mountain faces and increased landslide risk, with monsoon rains further complicating the situation by blocking rivers and exacerbating flooding. While the precise causes of the recent disasters remain under investigation, glaciologists highlight ice melt as a significant contributing factor.
