Continuing monsoon rains bring deaths, destruction to Pakistan, India

Heavy monsoon rains have continued to pummel the Indian subcontinent over the past week, unleashing devastating floods and landslides that have killed hundreds in what is already among the deadliest monsoon seasons in recent years.

Moist air surging inland from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea was driven into Pakistan and north-west India late last week by strong southwesterly monsoon winds. Combined with areas of developing low pressure, the system triggered a succession of torrential downpours, Caliber.Az writes, citing foreign media.

On August 22, more than 300 people were killed after powerful cloudbursts – episodes in which hourly rainfall exceeds 100mm – struck mountainous regions of northern Pakistan and India. In Pakistan’s Buner district, 150mm fell in just one hour, unleashing flash floods that swept through valleys and villages with rocks and debris. More than 240 people were killed in that single event, marking the deadliest episode of the season so far. Since the onset of the monsoon in late May, Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority estimates that nearly 750 people have died.

Farther south, Mumbai endured extreme rainfall between 15 and 19 August, with some areas recording 837mm of rain – roughly equivalent to the annual average for southern England. The deluge caused widespread and prolonged flooding that left at least 21 people dead, including a man electrocuted after stepping into floodwaters containing a live wire.

The weather chaos crippled transport networks across the city: major roads were submerged, train services were suspended, and numerous flights were delayed or diverted. Authorities evacuated residents in low-lying areas along the swelling Mithi River, which threatened to overflow its banks.

By Khagan Isayev