Heavy rainfall across Pakistan has led to devastating flash floods, resulting in the deaths of at least 49 people within a 24-hour period, according to officials. The worst-hit areas include northern and northwestern Pakistan, where rescue operations are currently underway. At least 1,300 tourists stranded in the mountainous Siran Valley were evacuated as landslides and flooding disrupted travel.
Many of the latest fatalities occurred on Thursday in the Ghazar district of Gilgit-Baltistan. Regional government spokesman Faizullah Faraq reported that at least 10 individuals were swept away by flash floods. Just a day earlier, another 16 people, including women and children, died in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province during a severe cloudburst. Rescue official Amjad Khan confirmed that 17 others remain missing from that incident.
Flash floods also struck in Battagram, claiming the lives of 10 people, while 18 individuals are still unaccounted for. In Pakistan-administered Kashmir, separate rain-related incidents resulted in the deaths of an additional seven people, as reported by the state disaster management authority.
Rescue efforts have proved challenging. Bilal Faizi, a spokesman for the provincial emergency service in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, noted that rescuers worked tirelessly to save tourists trapped by the rising waters in the Siran Valley on Thursday. This region is a popular destination, known for its natural beauty and trekking opportunities.
In recent weeks, Gilgit-Baltistan has experienced multiple floods, exacerbating the risk of landslides along the Karakoram Highway. This critical route connects Pakistan and China and is vital for trade, travel, and tourism. The region is also home to numerous glaciers that supply approximately 75% of Pakistan’s fresh water.
The Pakistan Disaster Management Authority has issued new alerts for potential glacial lake outburst flooding in the north, advising travelers to stay clear of affected areas. A recent study by World Weather Attribution revealed that rainfall from June 24 to July 23 was 10% to 15% heavier than usual due to the impacts of global warming. Experts suggest that intense localized downpours, or cloudbursts, are becoming increasingly frequent in the region.
The current floods follow a catastrophic monsoon season in 2022, which resulted in over 1,700 fatalities and caused around $40 billion in damages, marking the worst flooding event on record for Pakistan.
As rescue operations continue, the full extent of the disaster is still unfolding, with officials working to account for all those affected by the severe weather.