Flash floods triggered by heavy rains killed over 49 people in northwestern Pakistan and other parts of the country in the last 24 hours, authorities said on Friday, as rescuers rescued 1,300 trapped tourists from a hilly area damaged by landslides, according to Firstpost.
Visuals from the spot show people asking passing cars for a lift near the affected area. Visuals have surfaced showing massive floodwaters mixed with mud and debris.
Over 360 people in Pakistan have died in rain-related accidents since June 26, the majority of the deceased are women and children. Authorities claim that the majority of the most recent deaths took place in northern and northwestern Pakistan.
Over ten people were killed on Thursday due to flash floods in Ghazar district, Gilgit-Baltistan, according to regional government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq.
16 people died on Thursday in Bajaur district in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province when a massive cloudburst triggered flash floods, according to rescue officials. 17 others were swept away and remain missing.
In Battagram district in the northwest flash floods killed 10 people and 18 people were still missing.
Seven people died in separate rain-related incidents in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK)
In 2022, Pakistan saw the worst flooding that killed more than 1,700 people and caused an estimated $40 billion in damage.
What Are Flash Floods?
A flash flood is a sudden and intense flooding event triggered by heavy rainfall, usually developing within hours of the downpour. Marked by a rapid surge in water levels, flash floods often overwhelm rivers and drainage systems, leading to widespread damage and posing a serious risk to both life and property.
Meanwhile, the death toll in the massive cloudburst that hit Jammu and Kashmir's (J&K) Kishtwar district rose to 60 on Friday. As many as 120 were also reportedly injured in the tragic incident. On Thursday afternoon, the massive cloudburst hit the Chositi area of Kishtwar's Paddar sub-division, triggering a flash flood in the region.
