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Pakistan monsoon rains leave 221 dead amid unusual season
Torrential monsoon rains have killed 221 people in Pakistan since the start of an “unusual” rainy season in late June, according to government officials. Among the victims are 104 children and 40 women, most of whom died due to house collapses, flash floods, or electrocution.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that this year’s monsoon arrived earlier than usual, with casualty numbers typically seen in August now occurring in July. “This makes the current season particularly unusual,” an NDMA spokesperson told AFP.
On Monday, heavy rainfall triggered deadly landslides in northern Pakistan, killing three people and leaving at least 15 missing. The victims were tourists visiting the scenic Gilgit-Baltistan region when their vehicles were buried by a massive landslide.
“Three bodies have been recovered, and rescue efforts are ongoing for more than 15 missing persons,” said Abdul Hameed, a local police official in the Diamer district. The operation resumed early Tuesday morning, aiming to clear debris and reach more than 10 vehicles buried under tons of earth and rock.
Faizullah Faraq, spokesperson for the provincial government, confirmed the casualties and noted that four injured individuals were rescued, one of whom is in critical condition. “Hundreds of tourists have received emergency shelter and aid from nearby villagers,” he added.
Flash floods in the region have also damaged at least 50 homes, four bridges, a hotel, a school, and several key roads, severely impacting mobility and infrastructure.
The national meteorological service warns of continued risks of heavy rainfall, flash floods, and landslides, particularly in the northern and eastern provinces.
Just weeks earlier, in late June, at least 13 tourists were swept away by sudden floods in another part of northern Pakistan.
The summer monsoon delivers 70–80% of South Asia’s annual rainfall between June and September and is essential for millions of farmers. However, it increasingly brings destruction as the climate crisis intensifies.
Pakistan is still recovering from the catastrophic 2022 floods, which affected nearly one-third of the country, displaced over 33 million people, and killed around 1,700. Much of the agricultural output was lost, exacerbating food insecurity.
With a population of over 255 million, Pakistan remains one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, experiencing more frequent and extreme weather events each year.