Peshawar – August 16: The death toll from flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has climbed to 327, with Buner district reporting the highest number of casualties, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). The floods, triggered by torrential rains and cloudbursts, have caused large-scale devastation across northern Pakistan.
Flash Flood Death Toll in KP and Northern Pakistan
The tragedy also claimed 12 lives in Gilgit-Baltistan and nine in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). In KP alone, more than 200 people were killed in a single day, including five officials aboard a provincial rescue helicopter that crashed in Mohmand during relief efforts.
Buner has emerged as the epicenter of destruction, with 204 deaths reported in 48 hours, while 120 people were injured and 50 remain missing. Other affected districts include Shangla (36 deaths), Mansehra (23), Swat (22), Bajaur (21), Battagram (15), Lower Dir (5), and Abbottabad (1).
Flood Damage and Relief Operations
The floods destroyed 11 houses, partially damaged 63, and affected schools in Swat and Shangla. The KP government has declared Buner, Bajaur, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, and Battagram as disaster-hit districts.
To accelerate recovery, Rs1 billion has been released to the PDMA for compensation and relief, while Rs1.55bn has been allocated for road and bridge restoration.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur visited flood-affected areas, while Governor Faisal Karim Kundi directed the Pakistan Red Crescent to establish an Emergency Relief Centre.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief and directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to expedite rescue operations in nine districts, prioritizing Bajaur and Battagram. Relief goods, medical aid, and heavy machinery are being deployed to restore connectivity.
