Pakistan is once again facing the tragic consequences of climate-driven flooding, with more than 270 people killed in Buner, a mountainous district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Torrential rains and sudden cloudbursts caused massive landslides and flash floods that swept through homes and villages, leaving survivors devastated. Authorities confirmed that many villagers remain missing, with rescue teams still searching collapsed houses buried under rocks and mud.

Emergency officials said that the scale of the disaster was worsened by the intensity of the downpour, which struck with little warning. While Pakistan has an early alert system in place, local residents complained that warnings never reached their communities. Many survivors were forced to flee at the last moment, escaping with nothing as water and boulders destroyed homes.

The National Disaster Management Authority acknowledged the limits of forecasting, stressing that no global system can predict the exact time or location of cloudbursts. Officials warned that more heavy rains and landslides could follow, as Pakistan has already recorded 50 percent more rainfall this year compared to the previous monsoon season.

The devastation in Buner mirrors disasters across the region, with Indian-administered Kashmir also reporting fatalities from similar floods. Pakistan remains one of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries, despite contributing less than one percent of global emissions.

Survivors' stories highlight the human toll: one family lost 24 members in a single night when floodwaters swept through their home before a wedding. Others remain buried under rubble as rescuers clear blocked roads to reach remote villages.

Experts warn that Pakistan will continue to face extreme weather events unless stronger disaster preparedness and climate adaptation measures are implemented. Communities on steep slopes and riverbanks remain at constant risk, and without urgent action, more lives will be lost in future monsoons.

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