Torrential rains, lightning, and flash floods have caused widespread devastation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), leaving at least 307 people dead and 23 injured, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
Most of the casualties were reported in Buner, Battagram, and Mansehra, where families were swept away or trapped under collapsed houses. The PDMA confirmed that the victims included 279 men, 15 women, and 13 children.
Buner suffers the heaviest losses
Buner has emerged as the worst-hit district in the KP floods, recording 213 deaths. Gadezai Tehsil alone saw 150 fatalities, while Dagar reported 25 deaths. In one tragic incident, 22 members of a single family lost their lives when their home collapsed in Chagharzai.
Rescue 1122 teams have set up medical camps in the area, while heavy machinery is being used to clear blocked roads. Despite continuous efforts, officials say reaching remote villages remains a major challenge.
Battagram and Mansehra face destruction
In Battagram’s UC Shamlai, up to 40 people were swept away by flash floods. Mansehra also witnessed severe damage and casualties. Search and rescue operations are underway across several districts, with local volunteers assisting provincial authorities under the chief minister’s directives.
Government announces relief measures
The provincial government declared a day of mourning, with the national flag flown at half-mast at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat and Governor House. The chief minister also approved Rs500 million in emergency funds for relief and rehabilitation while supervising operations personally.
Destruction spreads to Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK
The impact of floods extended beyond KP. In Gilgit-Baltistan, landslides and flash floods destroyed homes, bridges, and power systems. The historic Surmon Steel Bridge in Ganche was washed away, while villages like Haldi were left homeless. In Azad Kashmir, roads and bridges in Muzaffarabad collapsed, cutting off nearly 100,000 people. Restoration work is ongoing, but many areas remain disconnected.
Rising river levels across Punjab
Flood threats also emerged in Punjab, where water levels in the Sutlej River at Head Sulemanki continued to rise. Rescue teams placed Kalabagh and Haripur districts on high alert after reports of moderate flooding in the Indus River and Tarbela Dam.
Relief efforts continue despite hurdles
Authorities said at least 74 houses have been damaged across KP, with 11 completely destroyed. Relief operations are active in Buner, Bajaur, Torghar, Dir, Shangla, and Swat, where tents, food, and medical supplies are being provided to affected families.
Officials stressed that all institutions are working together to manage the crisis: “Rescue teams are reaching remote areas, reopening roads, and setting up medical facilities in the most affected districts.”
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