Landslide, heavy rain in Pakistan sweeps away cars, killing 3
Flash floods, collapsed buildings and electrocutions have killed more than 180 people since the monsoon season arrived in late June.
More than eight vehicles were swept away on Monday when heavy rains triggered a landslide on a highway in Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, Abdul Hameed, a senior police officer in the area, told AFP.
"Three dead bodies have been recovered and more than 15 are still missing," Abdul Hameed, the district police officer for Diamer district, told AFP.
He said at least 10 vehicles were buried under the debris.
"The rescue operation has been launched again at 6am (9am, Singapore time) today," he added.
Faizullah Faraq, spokesperson of the Gilgit-Baltistan government, confirmed the death toll to AFP.
Floods in the area on Monday have damaged 50 houses, four bridges, a hotel, a school and blocked major highways and damaged communication signals.
"Hundreds of trapped tourists have since been brought to safety; government teams cleared debris and escorted them off the mountain road, while local villagers provided emergency shelter and assistance," Faraq added.
The region is a popular tourist destination, marked by towering mountains, deep valleys and wide rivers.
Monsoon season brings South Asia 70 to 80 per cent of its annual rainfall, and runs from June until September in India and Pakistan.
The annual rains are vital for agriculture and food security, and the livelihoods of millions of farmers, but also bring destruction.
In late June, at least 13 tourists were swept to their deaths while sheltering from flash floods on a raised river bank.
In 2022, monsoon floods submerged a third of the country and killed 1,700 people.
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Likewise, incentivising rainwater harvesting and watershed rehabilitation would help capture rainfall and recharge aquifers rather than letting precious water simply flow out to sea. Expanding the country's water storage capacity (through both large dams and small local reservoirs) is crucial to buffer against seasonal variability; Pakistan cannot afford to remain a country that runs on a month's worth of water. Finally, farmers should be encouraged to diversify crops and adopt climate-smart agriculture — for example, by shifting incentives and support toward less water-intensive grains and developing varieties that can withstand droughts or floods. These adaptations in farming practices will be key to aligning the country's agricultural demands with its water reality. Pakistan's water scarcity truly is a ticking time bomb, but it is not one without a defuse mechanism. What is needed is the political will to act before it's too late. Delaying the policy action narrows the options and multiplies the economic and environmental costs. Adopting multi-faced solutions through the combination of institutional reforms at home and effective diplomacy abroad, we can begin to secure our water future. The challenge is immense, but the cost of inaction would be far greater. Ensuring water security is not just about avoiding droughts or floods; it is about safeguarding Pakistan's very viability as a stable and prosperous nation. Sahar Arshad Mahmood is an assistant professor at the School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS), IBA Karachi. She holds a PhD in Economics from Clark University, with a research specialisation in environmental economics. Her current research is focused on exploring the nexus between climate change, environmental economics, and sustainable economic development in Pakistan's landscape. Muhammad Salman Khalid is an assistant professor at the School of Economics and Social Sciences, IBA Karachi. A Fulbright Scholar, he earned his PhD in Economics from Claremont Graduate University, California. His current research spans health economics, crime, women's empowerment, and climate change.
