Pakistan - At least 49 people have tragically lost their lives in Pakistan over the past 24 hours as flash floods and landslides, triggered by relentless monsoon rains, have swept through the northern and northwestern regions of the country. The hardest-hit areas include the mountainous terrains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, where intense downpours have caused rivers to overflow and hillsides to collapse.
Emergency rescue teams have been working tirelessly to reach those stranded by the deluge. In a significant operation, approximately 1,300 tourists were successfully evacuated from the scenic Siran Valley in the Mansehra district. These individuals had become trapped as floodwaters inundated the valley, cutting off access routes.
The current monsoon season, which commenced in late June, has proven to be exceptionally destructive across Pakistan this year. The nationwide death toll attributed to monsoon-related incidents now stands at over 360, highlighting the severity of the ongoing weather crisis. In addition to the direct impact of the floods, numerous landslides have been triggered, causing significant disruption by blocking vital transportation arteries, including the strategic Karakoram Highway – a crucial link for trade and travel.
Environmental experts and government authorities are increasingly pointing towards the impacts of climate change as a significant factor contributing to the heightened intensity and unpredictability of these extreme weather events in Pakistan. The country's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued further alerts, cautioning of the potential for glacial lake outburst floods in the northern areas, which could exacerbate the already precarious situation.
The devastating floods underscore the vulnerability of communities in the region to extreme weather and the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness and climate resilience measures. Efforts are underway to provide aid and support to those affected, but the scale of the devastation presents significant challenges for relief operations. The situation remains critical as the monsoon season continues, raising concerns about further potential flooding and landslides in the days and weeks ahead.
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