Five dead as landslide sweeps vehicle in Skardu

At least five people were killed on Sunday when a landslide buried their vehicle near Rondo Malupa in Skardu, rescue officials confirmed to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

The vehicle was travelling from Skardu to Shangus when it was struck by a massive amount of falling debris. "The ill-fated vehicle was travelling from Skardu to Shangus when it was suddenly buried under a massive amount of falling debris,” rescue officials said.

Police described the aftermath as “horrific”, adding that the vehicle was completely swept away, leaving no chance of survival for its occupants.

A rescue team was dispatched to the site immediately to launch a search and recovery operation. Officials later confirmed that all five people in the vehicle had died. The identities of the victims are yet to be released.

Pakistan is among the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, frequently facing devastating weather events. This year, the country experienced its wettest April since 1961, with 59.3 mm of rainfall.

The unseasonal rains caused widespread destruction, including thunderstorms, landslides, and house collapses, resulting in at least 144 deaths, primarily in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Earlier this year, heavy monsoon rains triggered landslides and flash floods across Gilgit-Baltistan, wreaking havoc in villages such as Kushnat, Pakora, and Mominabad. In one incident, two children lost their lives, and critical infrastructure, including a veterinary hospital and a school, was destroyed.

Frequent landslides have also disrupted travel across the region, with the Karakoram Highway blocked multiple times due to heavy rainfall and snow. UN officials have warned that climate-induced disasters could impact around 200,000 people during the ongoing monsoon season, with heavier rains expected in the coming weeks.

Pakistan faced catastrophic floods in 2022, which killed over 1,700 people, caused $30 billion in damages, and displaced millions. The latest tragedy underscores the persistent risks posed by the country’s changing climate.