Heavy rainfall leads to widespread destruction across Pakistan, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bearing the brunt.

In a tragic turn of events, relentless rains have battered Pakistan, leaving at least 35 people dead and 50 injured. The onslaught of adverse weather has led to building collapses, landslides, and widespread flooding, wreaking havoc, particularly in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The province, which borders Afghanistan, has reported the majority of the casualties since the heavy rainfall began last Thursday night, with a significant number of the victims being women and children.

The situation in the southwestern Balochistan province is also dire, with the coastal town of Gwadar experiencing severe flooding. Efforts to evacuate approximately 10,000 people have been initiated, with boats being deployed to navigate the flooded streets. The Chief Minister of Balochistan, Sarfraz Bugti, announced that around 700 homes have suffered damage due to the rains.

Further casualties and destruction have been reported in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, highlighting the widespread impact of the rains across the country. The National Disaster Management Authority is actively providing emergency relief and deploying heavy machinery to clear debris blocking critical highways.

In response to the crisis, the Pakistan Army has stepped in, distributing 28 tonnes of food rations to over 1,300 households and establishing medical camps to tend to the injured. Despite these efforts, challenges persist, with the Karakoram Highway— a vital link between Pakistan and China— still partially obstructed by landslides.

Tourists have been advised to avoid travel to the scenic northern regions, which have been particularly affected by the weather conditions. The unusual delay in winter rains, which only began in February instead of the typical November start, has exacerbated the situation.

Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change is starkly highlighted by this disaster, as the country faces severe weather impacts despite its minimal contribution to global carbon emissions. The devastating monsoon and winter rains are a recurring challenge, with last year’s climate-induced floods causing significant loss of life and economic damage.