358 people have died in northwestern Pakistan due to massive floods and landslides caused by monsoon rains. More than two hundred local residents are considered missing, informs BBC.
In recent days, natural disasters have claimed the lives of more than 300 people in Pakistan and the part of Kashmir controlled by it. The highest number of victims was recorded in the mountainous province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In the worst-hit Buner, at least 209 people are still missing, but that number could rise, a local official said.
According to Jehangir Khan, a spokesman for the District Deputy Commissioner’s Office, rescue services buried eight unidentified bodies because none of their relatives were able to retrieve them. Some families are also unable to collect the bodies of their loved ones due to destroyed roads. A representative of the provincial rescue service said that the landslides partially buried ten to twelve villages.
Asfandyar Khattak, head of the provincial disaster management office, said dozens of people were missing in Shangla district. Forecasters predict heavy rainfall in northwestern areas of Pakistan at least until August 21. Some regions have already been declared disaster zones. Since the beginning of the monsoon season in June this year, the elements have already claimed the lives of at least 650 people.
