Pakistan, a helicopter delivering relief to the Bajaur region crashed in poor weather, killing all five aboard. In India, floods disrupted an annual Hindu pilgrimage and forced the evacuation of thousands of pilgrims.

Cloudbursts intense, short-duration downpours—are increasingly common in the disaster-prone Himalayan belt and northern regions of Pakistan. Experts attribute some of the surge to climate change and note that unplanned development worsens flood and landslide damage.

In Indian-controlled Kashmir, teams searched the village of Chositi for missing residents after previous floods killed at least 60 and left about 80 missing. About 300 people were rescued on Thursday before operations paused overnight. Affected residents described extensive mud and debris, including the destruction of the main pilgrims’ kitchen and damage to dozens of vehicles and homes.

Emergency response included erecting temporary bridges and deploying earthmovers to clear roads and transport, with nearly 4,000 pilgrims evacuated. The pilgrimage route through the region, which passes a shrine at 3,000 metres, has been suspended amid the disaster. Officials and residents expressed sorrow and emphasized ongoing relief efforts. (Jamaica Gleaner)