Peshawar/Swat — Northern Pakistan is reeling from one of the deadliest rain disasters in recent years, with at least 344 confirmed deaths in just two days. Torrential rains, flash floods, and landslides have devastated entire districts, leaving thousands stranded as rescue efforts continue under extreme conditions.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hit Hardest
The bulk of the tragedy has unfolded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where 328 people lost their lives, according to provincial officials. The mountainous districts of Buner, Swat, Mansehra, Bajaur, and Battagram have been declared calamity-hit after villages, shops, and infrastructure were washed away.
Buner alone has reported 184 deaths, making it the epicenter of the disaster. The KP government has announced an emergency relief fund of Rs500 million, with priority allocations for the worst-affected districts.
Rescue workers—nearly 2,000 of them—are combing through debris to recover bodies and evacuate survivors. But operations are hampered by washed-out bridges and blocked roads. “Many of our teams are travelling on foot, carrying equipment into remote valleys,” said Bilal Ahmed Faizi, spokesperson for KP’s Rescue Service.
Despite the dangers, survivors remain reluctant to leave their villages, with many choosing to stay close to trapped or deceased family members.
Army Joins Relief Efforts
The army has stepped in with major logistical support, deploying additional troops and engineers to restore collapsed bridges and provide emergency food supplies. Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir has directed the Corps of Engineers to install temporary bridges wherever possible to reconnect cut-off communities.
In a symbolic gesture, the army also announced the donation of its one-day ration—over 600 tonnes of food—for flood victims.
The NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) is coordinating with federal and provincial agencies, ensuring relief goods such as tents, blankets, dewatering pumps, powdered milk, and ambulances reach the disaster zone.
Grim Toll Across Swat, Mansehra, and Abbottabad
In Swat, flash floods tore through Mingora, Matta, and Kokarai, killing 22 residents and damaging homes in multiple towns. Survivors were seen cleaning mud-filled houses and salvaging belongings from collapsed structures.
Mansehra confirmed 20 fatalities, while in Abbottabad, swollen rivers destroyed a bridge, cutting off nearby villages. Although no deaths were reported in Abbottabad, residents demanded immediate reconstruction to restore access.
A helicopter tragedy added to the grief. A government relief chopper crashed in Mohmand district, killing five people, including two pilots, while returning from flood zones. Officials said heavy fog and poor visibility caused the crash.
Casualties in AJK and Gilgit Baltistan
The disaster is not confined to KP. In Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), at least 11 people—five of them children—died after floods and landslides swept through Neelum Valley, Jhelum, and Bagh. Over 400 homes were reported damaged, with more than 100 completely destroyed.
In Gilgit Baltistan (GB), flooding claimed 12 lives and destroyed critical road and power infrastructure. Multiple bridges, including the Baghicha RCC bridge in Skardu and three in Shigar, collapsed. The Satpara power plant has remained offline for two days, plunging parts of Skardu into darkness.
Thousands Still Waiting for Help
According to KP’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority, at least 3,817 people have been directly affected, while 32 remain missing. Hundreds of rescuers, aided by 90 vehicles and boats, are still working to evacuate stranded families.
Local officials have also begun dispatching medical teams and medicines to areas such as Buner. “I will be on the ground myself to ensure no family is left without help,” said KP Health Adviser Ihtisham Ali.
Mourning and Federal Response
A day of mourning was observed across KP on Saturday to honor the helicopter crash victims. Meanwhile, federal leaders expressed solidarity, with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar pledging “all possible resources” for relief, and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq urging youth to volunteer in aid efforts.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned that more rains are expected until August 21, heightening fears of further flooding in already fragile areas.
Roads and Connectivity Slowly Restored
Efforts are underway to repair the battered road network. The National Highway Authority (NHA) has reopened parts of the Mansehra-Naran-Babusar route and deployed heavy machinery from Punjab and Sindh to clear landslides in GB and KP.
But with more rain forecast, authorities remain on high alert. The situation, they warn, could worsen before it improves.
