Monsoon rains trigger catastrophic flooding
across KP, prompting emergency relief
operations Despite helicopter crash
Web Desk
Peshawar: At least 198 people have lost their lives and dozens remain missing after flash floods wreaked havoc across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Friday, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed. The dead include 172 men, 14 women, and 12 children. In Battagram, lightning strikes killed 15 people, Mansehra reported 14 deaths from floods, Swat recorded 11 deaths from flash floods and thunder strikes, while Lower Dir and Shangla reported fatalities from roof collapses.
District Buner Suffers Major Devastation
District Buner has borne the brunt of the disaster, recording 91 fatalities — the highest toll in KP. The region has been left reeling from extensive destruction of homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods, with rescue teams working round the clock to recover the missing and provide relief to survivors.
Helicopter Crash During Rescue Mission
A provincial government helicopter crashed in Buner during rescue operations due to bad weather, killing two pilots and three crew members. KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur called it “a terrible loss” and announced a day of mourning.
Health Emergency Declared
The KP Health Department has declared a health emergency in Buner, Swat, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Bajaur, and Mohmand. Flood control rooms and disease-monitoring centres have been set up in hospitals, with all medical staff leave cancelled. Rescue 1122 has recovered over 157 bodies and moved more than 100 people to safety.
Government Announces Relief Funds
The KP government has released Rs500 million in relief funds — including Rs150m for Buner and Rs100m each for Bajaur, Battagram, and Mansehra. The PDMA has directed local administrations to intensify rescue operations and prepare for further rainfall.
Nationwide Flooding Crisis
Flooding has also ravaged Bajaur, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), where landslides and flash floods have killed dozens more. Since June 26, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reports at least 325 deaths and 743 injuries nationwide from monsoon-related disasters.
Prime Minister’s Directives
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the NDMA to work closely with the KP government to accelerate rescue and relief efforts, ensuring urgent delivery of tents, medicines, food, and other essentials. He stressed that people and tourists stranded in the flood-affected areas should be immediately taken to safe places.
Ongoing Threat from Heavy Rainfall
With heavy rain forecast to continue until August 21 and rescue access hampered by damaged roads and poor communication, officials warn that the full scale of the disaster may only become clear once floodwaters recede.
