BUNER, Pakistan: New Flash Floods Devastate Villages in Indian-Controlled Kashmir
In a tragic turn of events, torrential rains unleashed fresh flash floods in two villages in the Kathua district of Indian-controlled Kashmir, claiming the lives of at least seven individuals and leaving five others injured, officials disclosed on Sunday.
Search and Rescue Operations Continue in Flood-Hit Areas
Efforts are still underway in the Kishtwar district, particularly in the remote village of Chositi, where devastating floods during an annual Hindu pilgrimage resulted in the deaths of at least 60 people and left 150 others wounded. Despite the rescue of over 300 individuals, numerous people remain unaccounted for.
Death Toll Rises in Buner District of Pakistan
Meanwhile, in Pakistan, authorities faced criticism as the death toll from flash floods in the mountainous Buner district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province surpassed 270.
Challenges Faced by Rescue Teams
Mohammad Suhail, a spokesperson for the provincial emergency service, confirmed the recovery of 54 bodies from Buner after intense rains and cloudbursts triggered devastating torrents on Friday. Rescue operations are ongoing, with a focus on locating individuals trapped in homes flattened by rocks and rushing water from the mountains.
Continued Threat of Rainfall and Landslides
Authorities issued warnings of ongoing rainfall and the potential for landslides until Tuesday, following monsoon downpours that have claimed the lives of over 600 individuals across Pakistan since June 26.
Debate Over Timely Evacuation Alerts
Local residents accused officials of failing to issue timely evacuation alerts, citing a lack of broadcast warnings through mosque loudspeakers, a common method of communication in remote regions. However, the government defended the presence of early warning systems but cited the sudden and intense nature of the cloudburst in Buner as a challenge.
Climate Change Impact and Forecasting Challenges
Lt. Gen. Inam Haider, chairman of Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, emphasized the disruptive influence of climate change on traditional weather patterns. Asfandyar Khan Khattak, director-general of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, highlighted the difficulty in predicting the exact time and location of cloudbursts.
Survivors’ Accounts Paint a Grim Picture
Residents like Mohammad Iqbal, a schoolteacher in Pir Baba village, expressed frustration over the lack of early warnings, noting that more lives could have been saved. Tragic stories emerged from Qadar Nagar, where 24 members of a single family perished in floodwaters that swept away their home ahead of a wedding.
Recovery Efforts and Infrastructure Damage
Emergency teams reported progress in reopening over half of Buner’s damaged roads by Sunday, facilitating access to previously isolated areas. Heavy machinery continues to be deployed to clear rubble from collapsed homes in search of survivors.
Climate Vulnerability of Pakistan
Pakistan, despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, remains highly susceptible to climate-induced disasters. The devastating impact of record monsoon floods in 2022, which claimed nearly 1,700 lives and destroyed countless homes, underscores the urgent need for climate resilience in the region.
Conclusion: Climate Change Threatens South Asia
Experts caution that climate change is fueling more frequent and severe weather events across South Asia, including glacial lake outbursts, deadly heatwaves, and the recent spate of cloudbursts. The region faces mounting challenges in adapting to the changing climate landscape.— Agencies
