Finally, some GOOD NEWS -

BAJAUR, Pakistan — August 15, 2025 — Torrential monsoon rains and sudden cloudbursts have unleashed catastrophic flash floods and landslides across northern Pakistan, killing at least 164 people in the past 24 hours, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The disaster has left communities reeling, with dozens still missing and hundreds injured as rescue operations continue amidst challenging conditions.

The hardest-hit region was Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where 150 deaths were reported, including 78 in Buner district alone, where floodwaters demolished homes and infrastructure. In Pakistan-administered Kashmir, nine fatalities were recorded, while five lives were lost in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, a key area known for its scenic glaciers and the Karakoram Highway, a vital trade and tourism route. The NDMA warned of potential glacial lake outburst flooding, urging travelers to avoid affected areas.

Rescue efforts have been heroic but harrowing, with teams using boats and helicopters to evacuate 1,300 stranded tourists from the landslide-ravaged Siran Valley in Mansehra district. Local resident Kashif Qayyum, a government administrator, noted that dozens of villages remain cut off, and the death toll is expected to rise as rescuers reach isolated areas. “The scale of destruction is overwhelming,” Qayyum said, describing homes buried under mud and debris.

The floods, triggered by intense downpours known as cloudbursts, have been exacerbated by climate change, according to experts. A recent study by World Weather Attribution found that rainfall in Pakistan from June 24 to July 23 was 10% to 15% heavier due to global warming. Since June 26, over 477 people, predominantly women and children, have died in rain-related incidents nationwide, underscoring Pakistan’s vulnerability to extreme weather. The 2022 monsoon season, the worst on record, killed over 1,700 and caused $40 billion in damages, a grim precedent for the current crisis.

In Bajaur, mourners gathered for funeral prayers as communities grappled with loss. “We heard a huge sound, then the flood came, sweeping people away,” said Rakesh Sharma, a survivor injured in the deluge. The NDMA has declared a state of emergency in heavily impacted areas, with ambulances transporting bodies to local hospitals.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief and urged authorities to expedite relief efforts. However, ongoing heavy rains and forecasts of more flooding complicate the response. The destruction of roads, bridges, and homes has left thousands stranded, with makeshift bridges being constructed to aid stranded residents and pilgrims.