Heavy rains and cloudbursts have triggered catastrophic flash floods and landslides across northern Pakistan, claiming the lives of over 330 people and injuring dozens more.

The death toll is expected to rise as the situation remains volatile. The hardest-hit areas are Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). KP alone has reported over 300 fatalities.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reports significant damage to infrastructure, with over 116 homes destroyed or damaged across the three regions.

Communications have been severely disrupted due to damaged mobile phone towers, isolating many affected communities.The disaster has also claimed the lives of five people when a KP government helicopter, carrying relief supplies, crashed in Mohmand district due to bad weather.

Another helicopter is currently conducting rescue operations in Buner.Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered urgent and comprehensive relief operations, instructing the NDMA to deliver essential supplies such as tents, medicines, and food to the affected areas.

The Pakistan Army is also actively involved in rescue and relief efforts, particularly in Swat and Bajaur, evacuating residents and delivering supplies by air.The devastation is widespread. In Buner, entire villages have been wiped out, with roads and infrastructure destroyed. Hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of injured and deceased.

In AJK’s Neelum Valley, several bridges have been washed away, and landslides have blocked major highways, stranding tourists. GB has experienced similar devastation, with widespread damage to crops, homes, and infrastructure.

The prolonged monsoon season, which began earlier than usual and is expected to last longer, has exacerbated the situation. Authorities warn that the intensity of the monsoon is likely to increase over the next 15 days. Scientists attribute the increased frequency and severity of such weather events to climate change.

The government has declared a state of emergency in Buner and implemented emergency measures in other affected areas. Schools in AJK are closed due to the ongoing threat of landslides. The death toll from this monsoon season across Pakistan has now surpassed 500.