Heavy monsoon rains continue to wreak havoc across northern Pakistan, with a deadly landslide in Gilgit-Baltistan's Diamer district claiming at least three lives and leaving over a dozen missing. The disaster, triggered by relentless rainfall, swept away more than eight vehicles on a mountain highway, submerging them under layers of rock and mud.
Rescue operations resumed early Tuesday morning, with local police and emergency teams racing against time to locate the missing. So far, three bodies have been recovered, while four injured individuals were pulled from the rubble — one in critical condition. Authorities say that more than 15 people are still unaccounted for.
What makes this tragedy even more heartbreaking is that several of the victims were tourists, drawn to the breathtaking beauty of Gilgit-Baltistan — a place known for its serene lakes and towering peaks. Now, that paradise has turned perilous.
In addition to the lives lost, the floods have caused widespread destruction: 50 homes, four bridges, a school, and even a hotel have been damaged or destroyed. Communication networks were also disrupted, making rescue efforts even more challenging.
Despite the dangers, hundreds of stranded tourists were safely evacuated by rescue teams with help from local villagers, who offered shelter and supplies to the displaced.
This tragedy is part of a larger crisis. Since June 26, the country has recorded 221 deaths due to monsoon-related incidents — including 104 children and 40 women. Over 500 people have been injured, as flash floods, electrocutions, and collapsing buildings continue to take a heavy toll.
Unusually, these torrential rains have arrived early this year. According to the National Disaster Management Authority, such impacts are typically seen in August, not July — another sign of climate patterns becoming increasingly erratic.
Elsewhere in Pakistan, floodwaters continue to ravage Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. Just weeks ago, 65 people were killed in a single day due to sudden rains, while 13 tourists lost their lives in late June while taking shelter near a riverbank.
Though monsoon rains are a vital part of South Asia’s agricultural cycle, their effects are being intensified by unchecked urban development, poor drainage, and the growing threat of climate change.
The memories of the catastrophic 2022 floods still haunt Pakistan, when nearly 33 million people were affected, 1,700 lives were lost, and vast stretches of farmland were left under water.
As the monsoon continues, so does the fear — and the resilience — of communities facing nature's fury.
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