Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is facing one of its deadliest monsoon seasons in recent memory, with flash floods claiming at least 189 lives and leaving many still unaccounted for, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed Friday.
The disaster, triggered by relentless rains since late June, has battered northern Pakistan — collapsing homes, sweeping away livestock, and cutting off entire communities. In KP alone, the toll includes 163 men, 14 women, and 12 children. Buner district has been hit hardest, with 91 deaths reported. Swat, Bajaur, Battagram, and Mansehra are also among the worst affected.
Buner at the Epicenter of Loss
Floodwaters in Buner have submerged markets like Pir Baba Bazaar, destroyed a mosque in Gokand, and killed large numbers of livestock. Dozens remain missing, and local officials warn the death toll could rise once waters recede. Helicopters are ferrying supplies and evacuating stranded residents, but poor weather has complicated the mission.
Rescue Mission Turns Tragic
In a devastating blow to relief efforts, a KP government MI-17 helicopter carrying supplies to Bajaur crashed during bad weather, killing all five on board — two pilots and three crew members. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced a day of mourning and ordered full state honours for the victims.
Scale of Destruction
According to PDMA data:
- 45 homes, three schools, and eight other buildings have been completely destroyed.
- Dozens more homes are partially damaged.
- Lightning strikes alone killed 15 people in Battagram.
- Roof collapses in Lower Dir and Shangla added to the toll.
- In Bajaur, a cloudburst in Salarzai tehsil left at least 21 dead, eight of them children.
Relief Efforts and Government Response
The KP government has allocated Rs500 million for emergency relief, with Buner receiving the largest share at Rs150m. Funds are also directed to Bajaur, Battagram, Mansehra, and Swat. Authorities have ordered intensified rescue operations and warned of more intermittent heavy rain until August 21.
Rescue 1122 reports more than 100 people have been pulled to safety so far. However, many remote villages remain inaccessible due to blocked roads and damaged communication networks.
Nationwide Toll Continues to Climb
Flooding has also battered Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, where landslides and flash floods have killed dozens more and destroyed entire settlements. Nationwide, since June 26, at least 325 people — including 142 children — have died and over 740 have been injured, according to the National Disaster Management Authority.
The coming days remain critical as rescuers race against worsening weather to reach those still stranded.