Flash floods triggered by heavy rains have killed more than 280 people and left dozens missing in India and Pakistan in the past 24 hours, officials said. Rescue services have evacuated 1,600 people from the two mountainous regions of the neighbouring countries.
A helicopter carrying aid to flood-hit northwestern Bajaur crashed in bad weather in Pakistan on Friday, killing all five people on board, including the two pilots, a government statement said.
Sudden, heavy rainfall over localized areas, known as torrential rains, are becoming increasingly common in the Himalayan regions of India and northern Pakistan, which are prone to flash flooding and landslides.
Heavy rains can have catastrophic consequences, causing widespread flooding and landslides affecting thousands of people in mountainous areas.
Experts say that in recent years, heavy rainfall has become more frequent due to climate change, and storm damage has also increased due to unplanned development in mountainous areas.
Rescuers were searching for missing people in the remote Himalayan village of Chositi in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Friday after flash floods killed at least 60 people and left about 80 missing the previous day, officials said.
Authorities suspended rescue efforts overnight but managed to save at least 300 people on Thursday after heavy rain triggered floods and landslides.
They said many of the missing were likely swept away by the current.
At least 50 seriously injured people were treated at local hospitals, many of whom were rescued from a muddy and debris-filled creek.
Disaster Management Authority spokesman Mohammed Irshad said the number of missing people could rise.
Forecasters expect further heavy rains and flooding in the area.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
