Rescuers are desperately trying to find over 150 folks nonetheless lacking in northwestern Pakistan, as the dying toll from a devastating flood reached 277 on Monday.
The mountainous Buner district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was struck by the deluge on Friday, prompting intensive search operations now reaching distant areas for residents swept away by floods.
The military has deployed engineers and heavy equipment to help in clearing rubble.
The tragedy has been compounded by controversy, after a senior politician blamed locals for the excessive variety of fatalities, suggesting folks ought to have constructed their houses elsewhere.
That sentiment has been met with anger from villagers, who accuse officers of failing to problem well timed evacuation warnings.
They highlighted the absence of broadcasts from mosque loudspeakers, a conventional methodology for alerting communities to emergencies within the area.
Nevertheless, the federal government insists that whereas an early warning system was in place, the sudden downpour was so intense that the deluge struck earlier than residents may very well be knowledgeable.
Provincial chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur mentioned on Sunday that lots of the deaths might have been averted had residents not constructed houses alongside waterways and riverbanks.
He added that the federal government would encourage displaced households to relocate to safer areas, the place they might be assisted in rebuilding their houses.
Pakistan has seen higher-than-normal monsoon rains since 26 June, killing a minimum of 645 folks throughout the nation, with 400 deaths within the northwest.
The Nationwide Catastrophe Administration Authority issued an alert for additional flooding after new rains started on Sunday in lots of components of the nation.
The UN humanitarian company mentioned it has mobilised teams in hard-hit areas, the place broken roads and communication traces have reduce off communities.
Aid businesses are offering meals, water and different support whereas making ready for longer-term restoration efforts.
Flooding has additionally hit India-administered Kashmir, the place a minimum of 67 folks have been killed and dozens stay lacking after flash floods swept by means of the area throughout an annual Hindu pilgrimage.
U.N. Secretary-Normal António Guterres expressed deep sorrow on Sunday over the lack of life in Pakistan and India, whereas Pope Leo XIV supplied condolences after praying the Angelus in Castel Gandolfo.
Pakistan stays extremely susceptible to climate-related disasters. In 2022, catastrophic floods linked to local weather change killed almost 1,700 folks and left tons of of hundreds homeless.
