On Monday, a sudden cloudburst tore through a village in the Swabi district of northwest Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, leaving over 20 people dead and six others injured, according to local officials.
The intense downpour triggered flash floods that swept through narrow lanes, uprooting trees and damaging homes. Eyewitnesses described torrents of muddy water racing through the village, catching many residents off guard.
Swabi district, primarily an agricultural region, has faced seasonal rains for years, but this event underscores rising vulnerabilities as extreme weather events become more frequent across South Asia. Climate experts point to shifting weather patterns that intensify cloudbursts and flash floods.
Local authorities have launched search-and-rescue operations, providing medical aid and shelter to displaced families. Community volunteers are working alongside emergency teams to clear debris and restore access to affected areas.
The death toll remains provisional, with officials warning that numbers may rise as teams reach more remote locations. This tragedy highlights the urgent need for early warning systems and resilient infrastructure to protect communities in flood-prone regions.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
