ISLAMABAD (Agencies) August 16, 2025 – More than 400 people have been killed in sudden floods triggered by torrential rains across Pakistan, India-administered Kashmir and Nepal, with dozens still missing and entire villages wiped out, officials confirmed on Saturday.
In northwestern Pakistan, at least 321 people lost their lives within 48 hours as flash floods devastated more than ten villages in Buner district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Washed-out roads and landslides have cut off access to several communities, where emergency officials fear dozens remain buried under debris.
“Over 120 bodies have been recovered from this area alone so far. Just a few days ago, there was a vibrant, living community here. Now, there’s nothing but heaps of large rocks and debris,” said Bilal Faizi, spokesperson for Rescue 122.
Relief efforts also suffered a major setback when a rescue helicopter crashed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing five crew members, according to provincial authorities.
Across the border in India-administered Kashmir, at least 60 people died and more than 200 were reported missing in Chashoti, a popular pilgrimage site, Reuters reported. In Nepal, officials confirmed at least 41 deaths and 121 injuries following floods and landslides.
Residents described scenes of devastation as the floods struck with violent force. “It felt like doomsday had arrived, with torrents of mud and massive boulders rushing through our village,” said Farhad Ali, a student from Salarzai in northern Pakistan.
Authorities in Pakistan warned that rain is expected to intensify from Sunday, raising fears of further flash floods and urban flooding. Social media footage showed raging torrents sweeping through streets, destroying homes and vehicles.
Meteorologists in India attributed the disaster to a “cloudburst” — a sudden downpour of over 100 millimeters of rain within an hour. Experts have also warned that the worsening climate crisis is intensifying monsoon rains and flooding across the Himalayas.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired an emergency meeting in Islamabad on Friday to review rescue and relief efforts, while frantic rescue operations continued across the region with army and police units searching for the missing.