Torrential monsoon rains have caused devastating flash floods across India and Pakistan, resulting in significant loss of life and widespread destruction. In Indian Kashmir's Himalayan region, a severe cloudburst on August 14, 2025, struck Chositi village, causing approximately 60 fatalities and leaving over 200 individuals missing. The deluge also impacted a community kitchen serving pilgrims on the Machail Mata Yatra religious journey, which commenced on July 25. Rescue operations have been extensive, with over 300 people saved and receiving medical care.
In Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the impact has been equally severe, with at least 49 confirmed deaths and 17 people unaccounted for. The Siran Valley in Mansehra district saw the evacuation of 1,300 tourists stranded by floods and landslides. The Karakoram Highway has also experienced significant disruptions due to multiple landslides. Experts increasingly point to climate change as a factor exacerbating the intensity and frequency of these monsoon-related events. A study by World Weather Attribution found that rainfall in Pakistan between June 24 and July 23, 2025, was 10% to 15% heavier due to global warming, leading to more intense, concentrated rainfall events. This, combined with unplanned development in vulnerable mountainous areas, amplifies the destructive potential of cloudbursts. The region's susceptibility is further compounded by increasing glacial lake outburst floods due to accelerated glacial melt in the Himalayas, posing a significant threat to downstream communities, as evidenced by multiple floods and landslides affecting the Gilgit-Baltistan region since July, impacting the Karakoram Highway.