Heavy rainfall has caused flash floods and landslides in northern India and Pakistan.
Pakistan reports at least 344 deaths, with the number likely to rise. Around 200 people are still missing [1], while the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the north-west is particularly affected [1, 2]. A local police officer reported that dozens of houses were destroyed by boulders in the floods within a few minutes [2].
According to Pakistani authorities, a total of 2,000 rescue workers were deployed, but their work was hampered by persistent heavy rain, landslides and washed-out roads. Attempts are now being made to reach the more remote regions on foot [2].
India has reported at least 60 deaths in the Kashmir region so far, with 80 more people missing [2]. Several hundred people had to be taken to hospitals. This is the second severe flooding disaster in India this month [3].
Flash floods and landslides are common in Pakistan, India and Nepal during the monsoon season. Still, experts said this summer’s monsoon was unusual [3].
[1] Sturzfluten in Pakistan: Suche nach rund 200 Vermissten | tagesschau.de (accessed on 20.08.2025)
[2] Pakistan und Indien: Hunderte Menschen sterben nach Starkregen im Monsun – DER SPIEGEL (accessed on 20.08.2025)
[3] Sturzflut: Über 220 Tote durch Sturzfluten und Erdrutsche in Pakistan und Indien | DIE ZEIT (accessed on 20.08.2025)
(Image Source: AI-generated with DALL-E (OpenAI))