Devastating aftermath of flash floods in the Himalayan region leaves over 365 casualties
Heavy monsoon rains have wreaked havoc in India and Pakistan, causing floods and landslides that have claimed at least 1,860 lives as of late August 2025. The death toll stands at 1,109 in India and 759 in Pakistan, according to official figures.
In India, key affected areas include Uttarakhand, where an entire village was washed away, Jammu and Kashmir, hit by a cloudburst killing around 60 people, and Mumbai, which was severely flooded, disrupting city life.
In Pakistan, the most heavily impacted regions are Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Punjab province, Sindh, and areas around river basins. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has seen hundreds of deaths, especially in Swat Valley and Buner District, where 274 people died and 209 are still missing. Punjab province has reported over 180 deaths in a single day and more than 120 deaths over six weeks.
The district of Buner in Pakistan's northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the worst affected by the floods. Rescue teams are searching for survivors and retrieving bodies from rubble and mud. Reports suggest that the flood swept away makeshift kitchen tents on Thursday as pilgrims were eating at a stopover on a popular route to a Hindu shrine.
The ongoing monsoon rains continue to pose a risk of further flooding, especially along the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers in Punjab, with urban flooding expected in major cities like Rawalpindi and Lahore.
The military is actively involved in rescue efforts in both India and Pakistan. In Pakistan, the military is assisting in the Pakistani-controlled part of Kashmir and the region of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The disaster management authorities in Pakistan, India, and Nepal are actively monitoring and reporting on the situation. At least 124 people have died in flash floods and landslides in Nepal since mid-April, with the extent of the damage still not clear. Thirty-three people are still missing in the vast, confusing area around the village of Chositi in the district of Kishtwar, India.
The provincial government in Pakistan has declared Saturday a day of mourning. The bad weather and the remoteness of the disaster area are hampering rescue efforts in Pakistan.
[1] Monsoon floods in India and Pakistan kill at least 1,860
[2] Monsoon floods in Pakistan: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh worst hit
[3] Monsoon floods in Pakistan: Death toll rises to 759, military joins rescue efforts
[4] Monsoon floods in Pakistan: Urban flooding expected in Rawalpindi, Lahore
[5] General news: Climate-change induced monsoon floods disrupt service in major cities across India and Pakistan
[6] Science and environmental-science news: Weather-forecasting data points to potential increase in accidents due to continuous heavy monsoon rains in both countries
[7] Crime and justice update: Over 200 people missing amidst monsoon floods in Pakistan's Buner district; search efforts ongoing
[8] Car-accidents alert: urban flooding predicted in several cities, increasing the risk of vehicle mishaps
[9] Further reporting: Weather forecasting agencies issue warnings, urging citizens to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions during monsoon season
