Devastating Floods Leave Over 200 Missing in North-West Pakistan

As more than 200 individuals remain unaccounted for in Buner district, the intense monsoon floods have caused over 300 fatalities across the region. As rescue efforts continue, climate change's role in exacerbating such disasters has come under scrutiny.

In the wake of relentless monsoon flooding and landslides in north-west Pakistan, local authorities have reported that over 200 individuals are missing in the Buner district. The floods, which have claimed the lives of more than 300 people in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, have predominantly affected the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

A spokesperson for the deputy commissioner’s office in Buner, Jehangir Khan, disclosed that at least 209 individuals are unaccounted for, and this figure may escalate as rescue operations progress. Tragically, rescue teams have buried eight unidentified bodies, as no relatives could be found to claim them. Due to severe damage to roads, many family members are still cut off from reaching the disaster sites to claim their loved ones.

In addition to the search and recovery efforts underway, it was noted by a provincial rescue official that “10 to 12 entire villages” might have been partially buried under debris, highlighting the severity of the situation. Asfandyar Khattak, who leads the provincial disaster management authority, indicated that several others are missing in the Shangla district.

This year's monsoon season has brought rain averaging three-quarters of South Asia's annual rainfall between June and September. While landslides and floods are common during this time, scientists point to climate change as a factor heightening the intensity and frequency of these extreme weather events. In recent days, other regions, including Indian-administered Kashmir, have also faced heavy rainfall following flash floods that took at least 60 lives.

Authorities reported multiple fatalities in various regions, including nine deaths in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and another five in Gilgit-Baltistan. Government bodies are currently forecasting continued heavy rainfall until August 21 in the north-west region, where many areas have been declared disaster zones.

Pakistan has struggled with the repercussions of the ongoing monsoon season, with a cumulative death toll of at least 650 this year alone. In July, Punjab province experienced a staggering 73% increase in rainfall compared to the previous year. As the northern regions, known for being highly glaciated, face rapidly retreating ice due to climate change, experts warn that these conditions may further destabilize the region, raising the risks of serious flooding and landslides.

Although the specific causes of the recent floods and landslides are still being investigated, glaciologists assert that the melting of ice is significantly contributing to the situation.