The majority of fatalities occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as heavy rains continue to wreak havoc in Pakistan. At least 29 people have been killed and 50 others injured, with many houses collapsing and landslides blocking roads in the northwest region.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone, 23 rain-related deaths were reported since Thursday night. In Balochistan, five people died due to flooding in Gwadar, prompting the evacuation of 10,000 residents by boat.
Casualties and extensive damage have also been reported in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Emergency relief efforts are underway, with heavy machinery deployed to clear highways of debris caused by landslides.
The Karakoram Highway, linking Pakistan and China, remains partially blocked due to the storms. Tourists are advised to avoid traveling to the north due to adverse weather conditions, following incidents of visitors getting stranded last week.
Despite its low carbon emissions, Pakistan ranks among the top 10 most vulnerable countries to climate change, as per the United Nations. Unusually delayed winter rains in 2022 have caused widespread devastation, with monsoons and winter rainfall causing annual damage.
In 2022, climate-induced rains and flooding resulted in significant loss and damage, affecting millions of people and displacing many. The economic impact has been severe, with some areas still struggling to recover while living in temporary shelters.