Heavy Monsoon Triggers Flash Flooding in Northwest Pakistan 14 Dead

Photo : AFP

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Devastating flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains in northwest Pakistan have claimed at least 14 lives, including 11 members of a single family, officials reported Tuesday.

The catastrophic flooding occurred in the district of Kohat, located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. According to Bilal Faizi, a spokesperson for emergency services, the family was asleep in the basement of their home when the floodwaters surged. The bodies recovered included a man, three women, six children, and an 11-month-old baby girl. Additionally, three other individuals lost their lives in the nearby districts of Hangu and Bajur.

The monsoon rains, which have battered Pakistan since early July, have already resulted in over 60 fatalities and have severely damaged more than 250 homes, primarily in the eastern Punjab and southwestern Baluchistan provinces. Authorities have issued warnings about the potential for continued flash flooding next week across various regions of the country.

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Despite these ongoing challenges, weather experts predict a reduction in rainfall compared to the catastrophic monsoon of 2022. That year, unprecedented rains swollen rivers, inundated a third of the country, led to 1,739 deaths, displaced nearly 8 million people, and caused $30 billion in damages—a financial blow to the already struggling nation.

Pakistan faces recurring challenges with monsoon flooding each year, from July through September, a situation often exacerbated by inadequate government planning. The country remains highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with each season highlighting the urgent need for improved infrastructure and disaster preparedness.