Flash floods triggered by intense cloudbursts have left at least 307 people dead across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). The disaster has unfolded over just 48 hours, with dozens of villages inundated and families forced to abandon their homes.
Heavy Losses Across Multiple Districts
The majority of casualties were reported in Buner, where 184 people lost their lives. Other severely hit districts include Shangla (35 deaths), Mansehra (23), Bajaur (21), Swat (20), Battagram (15), and Lower Dir (5).
Among the victims were 279 men, 15 women, and 13 children, while at least 23 others sustained injuries. Authorities also confirmed that 74 houses were damaged, including 11 that were completely destroyed.
Rescue Efforts Under Pressure
Rescue operations are ongoing, with PDMA teams, local officials, and volunteers attempting to reach stranded residents. However, survivors have complained that the response has been slow, with many families still waiting for shelter and food. In some parts of Swat, including Mingora and Malam Jabba, residents were forced onto rooftops to escape rising waters.
The PDMA has cautioned that more rain is expected until August 21, raising fears of further devastation. In Mansehra, lightning strikes and sudden cloudbursts have already caused additional flooding.
Mourning and Government Response
The KP government has declared a day of mourning. Provincial flags are being flown at half-mast in tribute not only to flood victims but also to the crew of a rescue helicopter that crashed during operations. The Chief Minister announced that those who lost their lives in service would be laid to rest with full state honors.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while chairing a review meeting on the crisis, instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to coordinate closely with KP authorities. He directed that food supplies, medicines, and other relief materials be dispatched immediately to the affected areas.
The Road Ahead
With rains showing no sign of abating, the priority now is evacuation and shelter for vulnerable families. Relief workers on the ground warn that if the downpours persist, landslides and further flash floods could cause even greater destruction in the mountainous districts.