Flash floods and landslides kill 56 people in Pakistan

At least 56 people, including women and children, have lost their lives after torrential rains triggered flash floods and landslides across the northern parts of Pakistan. Rains and flooding wreaked havoc through Pakistan's northern areas, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir besides Gilgit Baltistan region and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

According to the rescue officials, Gilgit-Baltistan region of Northern Pakistan and many areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir remained the worst-hit areas due to the heavy rainfall and flash floods. In Gilgit-Baltistan region of Northern Pakistan, flash floods killed at least eight people while many are stated to be missing. Heavy rains devastated many villages and infrastructure in the area. Dozens of houses were swept away by the flood water and many others were buried under landslides.

Many people are still missing in the area. Heavy floods damaged a bridge on the strategic Karakoram Highway, disrupting traffic between Gilgit-Baltistan and the rest of the country. Heavy rains and flash flooding in Azad Jammu and Kashmir caused rivers to overflow killing eight people. Six members of the same family were killed in a cloudburst in Muzaffarabad district. More than seven hundred tourists were stranded after a cloudburst washed away two bridges and parts of several roads in Neelum valley.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, at least twenty one people were killed in Bajaur district following cloud burst, severe flash floods and landslides. According to government and rescue officials, the flooding in the district was triggered by torrential rains , sweeping away residential homes.

The ongoing monsoon spell has wreaked havoc across Pakistan, causing widespread destruction and flooding while more than three hundred people have lost their lives so far in different parts of the country. On the other hand, Pakistan Meteorological Department had warned of intensifying monsoon activity with more widespread rain, wind and thundershowers expected in several parts of the country till August 17.