Latest news with #landslides
Arab News
5 hours ago
- Climate
- Arab News
Pakistan monsoon death toll hits 242, with at least 116 children among the dead
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's meteorological department on Tuesday warned of glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs), flash floods and landslides in the country's mountainous northern regions, as the national death toll from monsoon-related incidents climbed to 242, including at least 116 children. The warning comes amid ongoing heavy monsoon rains that have battered the country since late June, triggering urban flooding, house collapses and deadly flash floods. At least 21 people, including 12 children, died in the past 24 hours alone, according to Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), with many of the fatalities reported from drowning, building collapses and fast-moving floodwaters. The worst-hit province has been Punjab, Pakistan's most populous region, where at least 135 people have died. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) reported 56 fatalities, followed by 24 in Sindh, 16 in Balochistan, six in the federal capital of Islamabad, three in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and two in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. 'In continuation to the GLOF alert issued dated July 15, the wet spell is likely to continue and can affect KP and GB in the current week,' the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said in a public statement. 'The prevailing weather conditions increase the risk of GLOFs, flashfloods, and landslide events in vulnerable glaciated regions of GB and KP.' Glacier lake outburst floods, sudden discharges of water from glacial lakes, are a growing threat in Pakistan's north due to accelerated glacial melting driven by climate change. These floods can inundate entire valleys in minutes, destroying roads, homes and livelihoods. The PMD also warned of landslides and mudslides in areas such as Murree, Galliyat, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, cautioning that roads could be blocked and essential connectivity disrupted. Heavy rains are forecast to continue until July 25. CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS On Tuesday, urban flooding also hit the capital Islamabad, with viral videos showing cars swept away by torrents of water in Saidpur Village and the upscale Defense Housing Authority (DHA) neighborhood. One video widely circulated on social media showed a vehicle submerged in floodwater, with a man inside calling for help. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over reports of a father and daughter believed to have drowned in the DHA flooding and directed authorities to expedite rescue operations across flood-affected areas. The monsoon season typically brings 70 to 80 percent of South Asia's annual rainfall, arriving in June in India and slightly later in Pakistan. While vital for agriculture, the rains also wreak havoc in countries with fragile infrastructure, poor drainage and high vulnerability to climate shocks. Pakistan, home to more than 7,000 glaciers, is consistently ranked among the countries most at risk from climate change, despite contributing less than 1 percent to global greenhouse gas emissions. It has seen increasingly erratic weather patterns in recent years, including record-breaking heatwaves, droughts, and severe storms. In May, at least 32 people were killed in separate incidents of torrential rainfall and hailstorms across the country. In 2022, catastrophic floods caused by a combination of unprecedented monsoon rains and glacial melt submerged nearly a third of Pakistan, killing more than 1,700 people and displacing over 8 million. That disaster inflicted an estimated $30 billion in economic losses and prompted repeated UN calls for global climate reparations.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Rains, flash floods kill 21 in Pakistan; tourists rescued in hilly north
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Islamabad, Pakistan – Flash floods and landslides have killed at least 21 people in 24 hours across Pakistan, taking the total death toll in this year's monsoon to 242. At least three people died in the northern region of Gilgit-Baltistan on Tuesday when a cloudburst caused floods and landslides, stranding more than 200 tourists who were later rescued, officials said. 'So far, we have rescued between 200 and 250 people in various areas who arrived for tourism purposes. All of them are Pakistani nationals. Meanwhile, between 15 to 20 people are still missing, and search efforts are ongoing,' Farmanullah Khan, a government official in Gilgit-Baltistan, told Al Jazeera. Officials said the rescued tourists were moved to the city of Chilas, where they were provided shelter in hotels and guesthouses. 'Rescue operations are actively under way to locate missing tourists with military personnel participating in the efforts. Helicopters will be deployed for rescue if necessary,' Faizullah Faraq, spokesperson for the Gilgit-Baltistan government, said in a statement. On Monday, at least four other tourists were killed and 15 went missing due to the floods in the region's Diamer district. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday said at least 10 people died in neighbouring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, including six children. The NDMA said most of the deaths were caused by house collapses as above-average rains pounded the South Asia nation, still recovering from the floods of 2022, which killed nearly 1,700 people and displaced more than 30 million. An NDMA official told Al Jazeera the rains this year have been more intense compared with last year. 'This is the fourth spell during this monsoon and is expected to go on till July 25,' he said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media. On Tuesday, the NDMA issued a landslide alert for several northern areas, including parts of both Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast widespread rain, winds and thundershowers for Tuesday across northern Pakistan and parts of Punjab province. A man carries sacks of onions while wading through a flooded street in Lahore, July 16, 2025 [File: Arif Ali/AFP] Pakistan, which has a population of about 250 million, is one of the world's most vulnerable countries to climate change. It is also home to more than 7,000 glaciers – the largest outside the Earth's polar regions. On June 26, Gilgit-Baltistan's Disaster Management Authority warned of an increased risk of glacial lake outburst floods and flash floods and asked people to avoid approaching rivers, streams and other waterways. Zakir Hussein, director general of the authority, said that while warnings help reduce the presence of tourists, they are not always enough. 'Generally, tourists pay attention to our warning notices. Those who still choose to come are either those who did not see the warning or those who have some urgency to visit,' Hussein told Al Jazeera. 'At the end of the day, it is weather prediction, but considering the severity of the consequences, people should take it seriously.' Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the capital, Islamabad, two people riding in a car were swept into a storm drain at a residential complex. A video circulating on social media showed the vehicle being carried away by floodwaters into the drain. Rescue officials have launched a search for the missing passengers. Abdul Moiz, a local pharmacy owner, said only a few shops were open in the area on Tuesday due to the relentless rain. 'It is a strong storm and does not look like stopping anytime soon. I live in the same society, and while it could have been easy to stay indoors, I thought this is a time when people might need medicines, so I am here at my shop,' he told Al Jazeera via telephone.
Al Jazeera
11 hours ago
- Climate
- Al Jazeera
Rains, flash floods kill 21 in Pakistan; tourists rescued in hilly north
Islamabad, Pakistan – Flash floods and landslides have killed at least 21 people in 24 hours across Pakistan, taking the total death toll in this year's monsoon to 242. At least three people died in the northern region of Gilgit-Baltistan on Tuesday when a cloudburst caused floods and landslides, stranding more than 200 tourists who were later rescued, officials said. 'So far, we have rescued between 200 and 250 people in various areas who arrived for tourism purposes. All of them are Pakistani nationals. Meanwhile, between 15 to 20 people are still missing, and search efforts are ongoing,' Farmanullah Khan, a government official in Gilgit-Baltistan, told Al Jazeera. Officials said the rescued tourists were moved to the city of Chilas, where they were provided shelter in hotels and guesthouses. 'Rescue operations are actively under way to locate missing tourists with military personnel participating in the efforts. Helicopters will be deployed for rescue if necessary,' Faizullah Faraq, spokesperson for the Gilgit-Baltistan government, said in a statement. On Monday, at least four other tourists were killed and 15 went missing due to the floods in the region's Diamer district. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday said at least 10 people died in neighbouring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, including six children. The NDMA said most of the deaths were caused by house collapses as above-average rains pounded the South Asia nation, still recovering from the floods of 2022, which killed nearly 1,700 people and displaced more than 30 million. An NDMA official told Al Jazeera the rains this year have been more intense compared with last year. 'This is the fourth spell during this monsoon and is expected to go on till July 25,' he said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media. On Tuesday, the NDMA issued a landslide alert for several northern areas, including parts of both Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast widespread rain, winds and thundershowers for Tuesday across northern Pakistan and parts of Punjab province. Pakistan, which has a population of about 250 million, is one of the world's most vulnerable countries to climate change. It is also home to more than 7,000 glaciers – the largest outside the Earth's polar regions. On June 26, Gilgit-Baltistan's Disaster Management Authority warned of an increased risk of glacial lake outburst floods and flash floods and asked people to avoid approaching rivers, streams and other waterways. Zakir Hussein, director general of the authority, said that while warnings help reduce the presence of tourists, they are not always enough. 'Generally, tourists pay attention to our warning notices. Those who still choose to come are either those who did not see the warning or those who have some urgency to visit,' Hussein told Al Jazeera. 'At the end of the day, it is weather prediction, but considering the severity of the consequences, people should take it seriously.' Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the capital, Islamabad, two people riding in a car were swept into a storm drain at a residential complex. A video circulating on social media showed the vehicle being carried away by floodwaters into the drain. Rescue officials have launched a search for the missing passengers. Abdul Moiz, a local pharmacy owner, said only a few shops were open in the area on Tuesday due to the relentless rain. 'It is a strong storm and does not look like stopping anytime soon. I live in the same society, and while it could have been easy to stay indoors, I thought this is a time when people might need medicines, so I am here at my shop,' he told Al Jazeera via telephone.
Emirates 24/7
13 hours ago
- Climate
- Emirates 24/7
Korea's death toll rises to 19 after heavy rains, landslides
Another person has been confirmed dead after last week's heavy rains and landslides, bringing the total death toll to 19, the government said Tuesday. Nine others also remain missing, raising the total number of those dead or unaccounted for from the heavy rainfall between Wednesday and Sunday to 28, according to tentative data from the interior ministry. The casualties include 10 dead in the southern county of Sancheong, three in the northern county of Gapyeong and two in the western city of Seosan, according to the ministry. Four of the missing were reported in Sancheong, while another four were reported in Gapyeong. Authorities have sped up recovery efforts, with about 2,976 of the 6,752 buildings and facilities reported damaged having undergone emergency restoration work. More than 14,000 people have taken shelter since the heavy rains started, with 2,549 people yet to return to their homes. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
The Independent
17 hours ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Tropical Storm Wipha batters Vietnam after lashing China with record rainfall
Tropical Storm Wipha made a second landfall in Vietnam on Tuesday, after lashing China earlier, bringing torrential rain and strong winds as authorities rushed to evacuate low-lying areas and warned of possible floods and landslides. The storm came ashore in northern Vietnam around 10am local time in Hung Yen and Ninh Binh provinces with sustained winds reaching up to 102 kmph (63 mph), according to Vietnam's national weather agency. Heavy rain in China's eastern province of Shandong killed two people and left 10 people missing after half a year's worth of rain fell in five hours, drenching the Laiwu district in the city of Jinan, the local government reported on Tuesday. Xinhua reported that two Chinese nationals were also killed in Thailand due to the tropical storm. The meteorological department warned of thunderstorms and possible flash floods from Tuesday to Thursday, especially in the country's north and northeast, while the south could experience tides as high as four meters. The department advised small boats to avoid sailing during the period. In Vietnam, nearly 350,000 soldiers were placed on standby as the country braced for up to 50cm (20 inches) of rain in affected regions. Although no casualties were immediately reported there, damage assessments are still underway. In Haiphong, a key port city, residents described moderate wind and rain early Tuesday. 'We are able to go outdoors this morning as the wind is not too strong,' a Cat Ba Island resident told Reuters. Airports and ports across northern provinces, including Hai Phong and Quang Ninh, suspended operations. More than 150,000 hectares of aquaculture farms and over 20,000 floating fish cages were reported at risk, according to state media. In Hanoi, usually busy streets emptied as officials urged people to stay indoors and evacuate flood-prone buildings. 'If the storm is serious, people shouldn't go out anyway because it would be dangerous on the road and there is also a chance of flooding,' Minh Doan, a taxi driver in the capital, told AP. In China, the storm's remnants combined with ongoing monsoon activity to unleash extreme rainfall across multiple provinces. In Shandong, more than 360mm of rain – about half the city of Jinan's average annual total – fell in just five hours early Tuesday. The sudden deluge also left 10 missing, local authorities said, with flash floods damaging homes and cutting off access to mountain villages. Southern Chinese provinces including Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan also remain on high alert following Typhoon Wipha's landfall on Sunday. The storm knocked down trees, grounded flights, and caused widespread power outages in Hong Kong and parts of mainland China before weakening over land. According to China's national meteorological agency, more rainfall is expected in the coming days, heightening the risk of flash floods and landslides. Extreme weather has already caused at least 307 deaths or disappearances across China in the first half of 2025 and resulted in economic losses exceeding $7.6bn, Reuters reported. 'Rising sea surface temperatures, fuelled by climate change, can intensify these storms,' said Benjamin P. Horton, dean of the School of Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong. Warmer oceans are making typhoons stronger and wetter, he said, shifting rainfall patterns and exposing vulnerable infrastructure across East Asia. Elsewhere in Asia, the monsoon system has wreaked havoc. In the Philippines, more than 80,000 people remain in emergency shelters following weekend floods and landslides that killed at least three people. In Thailand, authorities warned of possible 4-metre tides and flash floods through Thursday, with the meteorological department advising boats to stay ashore. Wipha is expected to weaken into a low-pressure system as it moves southwest across Vietnam but will continue to bring heavy rain through Wednesday. Forecasters warn that saturated soil and swollen rivers could still pose significant danger in the coming days.
