Hundreds Killed After Heavy Rains Strike Pakistan, India, Nepal

Hundreds of people are dead after a devastating round of monsoon rains hit southern Asia over the past few days.

The worst of the impact was in Pakistan, where at least 300 people have been confirmed dead. The rains washed away everything from homes to businesses to entire roads. The precipitation also triggered several landslides in more mountainous areas, which accounted for a large portion of the damage– locals reported that massive boulders had taken out dozens of homes as they were washed downstream.

Search-and-rescue operations begun almost immediately, but many of the survivors died before reaching the hospital due to their terrible condition; many victims were crushed by the boulders as they were carried into rivers and lakes by the flash floods. Aid has also arrived from other parts of the country, with first responders bringing tents, food, and clean water to those in need.

Meanwhile, in neighboring India, the monsoons wreaked havoc as well. In the Indian region of Kashmir, at least 60 people were killed in the town of Chashoti after it was hit by flash floods several days ago. At least 150 people are still missing, and dozens of survivors are still in critical condition. Unfortunately, the floods struck during the town's annual pilgrimage, which attracts a staggering 300,000 people every year. Chashoti is where the road for vehicles to the Himalayan temple of Machail Mata – a form of Goddess Durga – ends, forcing pilgrims to hike from the village to the shrine.

Similar disasters also struck different regions of Nepal over the past few days, killing at least 40 people and leaving over 100 injured.

Monsoon season, which lasts from June to September, can bring strong winds and heavy rain throughout the summer due to the warm, humid air blowing onto the Indian subcontinent. However, climate change has intensified the annual event, bringing more and more devastating rain each year. Additionally, poor infrastructure in rural mountain areas has also contributed to the damage, as homes are haphazardly built without consideration of possible flood routes or measures to prevent landslides.

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Image credit to The Guardian