Pakistan avalanche kills 11

According to police, an avalanche in northern Pakistan killed four women and a four-year-old boy among others. The disaster management agency reported that at least 11 people were killed in the incident. Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, stated that such incidents are increasing due to climate change. Pakistan is among the top 10 countries at risk of natural disasters due to rising temperatures. Sharif called on the international community to help developing countries facing economic challenges from the adverse effects of climate change. The incident occurred near the Shounter Pass, which connects the Gilgit-Baltistan region with Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The area has seen frequent avalanches and snow landslides due to glacial melting. The rescue operation was hampered by harsh weather conditions, and residents took the lead in the difficult-to-reach area. Rising temperatures are rapidly melting glaciers in Pakistan’s northern mountain ranges, resulting in the formation of thousands of glacial lakes. In 2022, flash floods killed over 1,700 people and affected 33 million in the country.