Torrential Rains in Pakistan, Kashmir, and Nepal Leave Over 400 Dead

Sudden, intense rainfall has unleashed flash floods and landslides across Pakistan, India-administered Kashmir, and Nepal, killing more than 400 people and leaving many others missing, according to officials.

Pakistan Bears the Brunt

In northwestern Pakistan, authorities confirmed at least 321 deaths within two days, most of them in Buner district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where flash floods wiped out more than ten villages.

Blocked roads and massive landslides have cut off access to the region, slowing rescue operations. Bilal Faizi, a spokesperson for the Rescue 122 emergency service, said:

“So far, over 120 bodies have been recovered from this area. Just days ago it was full of life, but now it’s nothing but rubble and giant rocks.”

Tragedy struck relief efforts as well when a rescue helicopter crashed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during operations, killing all five crew members.

Rising Toll in Kashmir and Nepal

In India-administered Kashmir, flash floods struck the pilgrimage town of Chashoti, killing at least 60 people and leaving more than 200 missing, according to Reuters.

In Nepal, authorities reported 41 dead and at least 121 injured after landslides and floods ripped through mountain communities.

“Like the End of the World”

Survivors in northern Pakistan described the disaster as terrifying. In Salarzai, student Farhad Ali said:

“The ground shook as if it were an earthquake. A torrent of water, mud, and huge boulders came rushing down the stream. It felt like the end of the world.”

In Kashmir, grieving families gathered after entire neighborhoods were swept away. One resident described seeing “bodies being pulled from the mud” while calling the destruction “unbearable.”

Warnings of More Rain

Pakistan’s Meteorological Department has forecast heavier rain starting Sunday, raising fears of further flash floods and urban flooding. Officials have urged residents to stay away from rivers and tourist areas.

In India, meteorologists said the catastrophic downpour was the result of a cloudburst—a weather event where more than 100 millimeters of rain falls within an hour.

Climate analysts warn that the human-driven climate crisis has made Himalayan floods more frequent and severe, destroying vulnerable communities year after year.

Regional Response

In Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired an emergency meeting in Islamabad to review rescue and relief measures.

In Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah canceled Independence Day celebrations amid the disaster. The annual Machail Yatra pilgrimage has also been disrupted, with landslides cutting off access to Chashoti, a key route to the shrine of Machail Mata.

A Region in Shock

From Pakistan to Nepal, entire villages have been reduced to rubble. Survivors describe scenes of “doomsday,” while rescue teams race against time to find those still missing. Officials warn the death toll could rise as rain continues.