Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Flash Floods Triggered by Torrential Rains and Cloudbursts, Death Toll Rises to 340
Relief operations by Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps (FC) continue in Buner, Swat, and Bajaur; Emergency declared in 8 affected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Peshawar ( Web News )
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the death toll from flash floods caused by torrential rains and cloudbursts has risen to 340 within 48 hours. Relief operations by the Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps (FC) are ongoing in Buner, Swat, and Bajaur districts. Due to heavy rains and flooding, emergency has been declared in eight districts of the province.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Saturday, reports of further casualties have been received from various districts, particularly the worst-hit Buner. The figure does not include fatalities in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, where floods have claimed at least 21 lives and caused widespread destruction.
Horrific scenes were witnessed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday when floods triggered by torrential rains and cloudbursts claimed over 200 lives in a single day across multiple districts. Among the deceased were five crew members of a provincial government helicopter that crashed during relief operations in Mohmand.
According to PDMA’s report, Buner emerged as the worst-affected district, recording 204 deaths in the last 48 hours. The report added that 120 people were injured, while 50 others are still missing, according to Deputy Commissioner Kashif Qayyum Khan’s office. Other fatalities include 36 in Shangla, 23 in Mansehra, 22 in Swat, 21 in Bajaur, 15 in Battagram, five in Lower Dir, and one child who drowned in Abbottabad.
Regarding damage to infrastructure, the report stated that 11 houses were completely destroyed and 63 partially damaged, while two schools in Swat and one in Shangla were also affected. The provincial government has declared the severely affected mountainous districts of Buner, Bajaur, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, and Battagram as calamity-hit areas.
Through a post on X, the KP government announced the release of Rs 1 billion to PDMA to ensure timely compensation, preparedness, and response. Additionally, over Rs 1.55 billion has been allocated to the Communications & Works Department for the restoration of roads and bridges in flood-hit districts.
On the directives of Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, the Pakistan Red Crescent has established an emergency relief center to assist flood-affected districts. Relief operations by the Pakistan Army and FC are underway in Buner, Swat, and Bajaur, where army helicopters are delivering food rations and other essential supplies to the victims. Flood-affected people are being evacuated to safer locations. Additional army contingents have also been deployed to assist in relief operations. The operation will continue until all victims are safely rescued and relocated.
Specialized Corps of Engineers equipment is being used to recover injured persons and bodies trapped under debris and mud. Military teams remain engaged in relief activities, delivering supplies and rescuing people from inundated areas.
Due to the devastation, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has declared an emergency in eight districts: Swat, Buner, Bajaur, Torghar, Mansehra, Shangla, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, and Battagram. According to a notification issued by the Provincial Rehabilitation and Settlement Department, the emergency will remain in effect until 31 August 2025.
The notification, signed by Secretary Yousuf Rahim, directed the deputy commissioners of these districts to mobilize all available resources to provide immediate relief. PDMA has been instructed to supply tents, essential items, and other relief goods from the central storage facility at Jalozai to the affected districts. Existing supplies with deputy commissioners may also be utilized.
All expenses will be met through the respective district relief accounts, and strict records of funds spent and goods distributed will be maintained and regularly reported to PDMA and the provincial Relief Department. Copies of the notification have been sent to the Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary, the Chief Secretary’s Personal Staff Officer, commissioners of Malakand and Hazara divisions, DG PDMA, and deputy commissioners of the affected districts.