Death toll from rains and floods rises to 645
151 people lost their lives in just the past 24 hours
Islamabad Peshawar, Muzaffarabad, Gilgit( Web News )
According to the latest report of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the number of people who have died this year due to rains and various incidents has reached 645, while hundreds have been injured. The report states that in just the past 24 hours, 151 people lost their lives, with the highest casualties reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where 144 deaths occurred, including 124 men, 16 women, and 11 children.
In addition, 137 people were injured due to floods and landslides — including 107 men, 20 women, and 10 children. According to NDMA, between June 26 and August 16, a total of 645 people have died as a result of rains.
On the other hand, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone, the death toll has reached 314 and the number of injured has risen to 156. Rainfall has damaged 159 houses in the province — 97 partially and 62 completely destroyed. Reports further reveal that the worst-affected district is Buner, where 209 people have died. Other badly hit areas include Swat, Shangla, Torghar, Bajaur, Battagram, and Mansehra. Officials warn that conditions could worsen with more rains, though relief operations are underway.
In Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, cloudbursts and flash floods have wreaked havoc, with the death toll surpassing 400 and dozens still missing. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, deaths have risen to 399, with 143 injured. In Buner alone, 209 deaths have been reported, 150 people are missing, and among the deceased are 279 men, 15 women, and 13 children.
Incidents have occurred in Swat, Buner, Bajaur, Torghar, Mansehra, Shangla, and Battagram. A total of 74 houses were damaged, including 11 fully collapsed and 63 partially damaged. In Pir Baba, Buner, more than 400 schoolchildren were safely rescued. In Mingora, Swat, several houses collapsed due to floods, leaving behind deep layers of debris and large boulders, displacing residents.
The Pakistan Army’s relief operations are ongoing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. People are being shifted to safe areas from flood-hit regions, while army helicopters are delivering rations and other relief supplies.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is personally overseeing the rescue and relief operations. The Chairman of NDMA has been directed to accelerate rescue efforts in the affected areas. The Prime Minister emphasized that tents, medicines, and medical aid must be provided on a priority basis, and preparations should be made for any emergency.
The Meteorological Department has warned that the monsoon intensity is expected to increase starting today, as a low-pressure system will strengthen the clouds. Heavy rains are expected in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Kashmir, while Sindh and Balochistan may receive rainfall until August 22. Forecasts include Karachi, Tharparkar, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, and Khairpur. Rain is also expected in Lahore, Sialkot, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad, and Sargodha. In northern districts like Abbottabad, Mansehra, Swat, Chitral, Dir, Malakand, and Buner, there is a risk of flash floods, and tourists have been advised to avoid traveling to northern areas for the next six days.
In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, heavy rains have been recorded, and a red alert has been issued.
In Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, flash floods have caused multiple incidents, leaving 23 people dead. In Ghizer, a glacier burst killed 10 people and destroyed dozens of houses and buildings. In Diamer, 2 people died while numerous roads and bridges were washed away. A section of the Naltar Expressway was destroyed, and the Karakoram Highway has been blocked at several points.
The situation in Azad Kashmir is also critical, where 11 people have died, dozens of houses and 6 bridges were destroyed, and connecting roads remain closed. Stranded tourists in Ratti Gali have been rescued.
Meanwhile, a massive flood wave entered Tarbela Dam, forcing the opening of spillways. The Indus River at Tarbela is in flood condition, with water entering the T-5 powerhouse.
DG Rescue Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Tayyab Abdullah, said that 1,800 rescue workers are active in rain and flood-hit areas, and of the 313 deceased, 300 bodies have been recovered.
In a press conference, the DG stated that the province has 176 rescue stations, with an additional 60 rescue points established along rivers. The number of divers has reached 246, and 5,210 people have been rescued across the province.
He added that rescue staff from nearby districts have also been deployed in affected areas. In Buner, it is feared that around 150 people are still buried under debris. Similar concerns exist in Shangla, where assessments are ongoing.
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