Pakistan Reels as Monsoon Floods Kill Over 200 in Pakistan and Kashmir
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – August 16, 2025:Heavy monsoon rains have triggered devastating flash floods and landslides in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, leading to at least 225 deaths. The intense rainfall has wrecked the mountainous northwest, destroying homes, bridges, and other structures, and stranding many in remote areas. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is the hardest hit, accounting for most of the casualties. This disaster is the latest in a string of climate-related events, showing how vulnerable Pakistan is to extreme weather.
The number of deaths is still rising as rescue teams struggle to reach isolated spots. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reports 211 deaths in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone. The disaster shows the scope of the humanitarian crisis, with many still missing and damaged infrastructure cutting off entire communities.
How Bad Is It?
Northern Pakistan started getting hit with heavy rain last week. This quickly turned into cloudbursts and flash floods that caught many people off guard. The terrain in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan-administered Kashmir made the flooding worse, with mud and water sweeping through villages.
The district of Buner in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been declared a disaster zone. Officials say there have been a lot of deaths, and they won’t know the exact number until the water goes down. Rescuers describe total destruction, with entire villages flattened.
Besides the deaths in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the NDMA says nine people died in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and five in Gilgit-Baltistan. These numbers add to the over 477 rain-related deaths in Pakistan since the monsoon season began in June.
The disaster has caused more than just deaths. Many people are hurt, with broken bones and other injuries from collapsing buildings and landslides. Thousands have lost their homes and belongings.
Rescue Efforts
The government and military have started a large rescue operation. Military helicopters are airlifting people and delivering supplies to cut-off areas. Sadly, a military rescue helicopter crashed during a relief mission in Bajaur district, killing all five crew members.
Rescue teams, including those from the NDMA and provincial emergency services, are working nonstop. They’re using boats and equipment to get through the flooded areas and clear roads. They were able to get over 1,300 tourists out of the Siran Valley in the Mansehra district after landslides blocked the roads.
Infrastructure and Humanitarian Crisis
The floods have caused widespread damage. Bridges and roads are destroyed, making rescue efforts harder and leaving communities without food, medicine, or clean water.
Mobile phone towers have been damaged, cutting off communication. The collapse of houses, mostly in the mountains where they’re made of mud and rice husks, is causing a lot of deaths. Officials say many of the victims are children, highlighting the vulnerability of families in these areas.
The disaster is also causing a humanitarian crisis, with a high risk of diseases from dirty water. Without clean water and sanitation, people could get cholera, diarrhea, and other illnesses, making the situation even worse.
Climate Change
The intense monsoon season is linked to climate change. Pakistan, while not a major contributor to global carbon emissions, is one of the most vulnerable countries.
A recent study found that climate change has made this year’s monsoon rains 15% heavier. A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, causing more intense rainfall. This, combined with unplanned construction in the mountains, has made the destruction even worse.
This situation is similar to the catastrophic floods of 2022, which killed over 1,700 people, displaced millions, and caused about $40 billion in damage. This shows that without investment in adapting to climate change and building better infrastructure, these disasters will keep happening.
Response
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the NDMA to start extensive relief operations in the affected areas. He has asked for essential supplies like tents, medicine, and food to be delivered quickly. The government says it will provide the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government with all the help it can.
The international community is being asked to provide more support. The United Nations and other aid organizations have worked in Pakistan before, but past appeals for funds haven’t been enough. There’s a need for a new approach, including early financing and recognizing Pakistan as a country on the front lines of climate change that needs ongoing support for both immediate relief and long-term climate resilience.
A huge effort from the government, international partners, and the public is needed to rebuild. While the focus is on rescue and relief, there’s an urgent need for a national strategy to rebuild with climate resilience in mind, including stronger infrastructure and better land-use planning. Without these steps, the cycle of destruction will continue.
