Torrential rains, cloudbursts, landslides and flash floods have wreaked havoc across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, leaving more than 330 people dead.
In Buner alone, 213 lives were lost while many others remain missing. Mansehra recorded 20 deaths from flash floods and landslides, while in Bajaur, a cloudburst triggered destruction that killed 21 people and swept away entire villages, houses, vehicles and livestock. An emergency has been declared in Buner, and in Swat, floodwaters inundated Mingora city and washed away connecting bridges.
In Azad Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, flash floods swept away six bridges while 11 people died in separate incidents. In Muzaffarabad, a cloudburst killed eight people, including six from the same family. Gilgit-Baltistan also faced severe damage where five bridges in Skardu collapsed into the river and 10 people died in Chilas after being swept away in Ouchar Nala.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, 307 people have died in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone over the last 48 hours. The dead include 279 men, 15 women and 13 children, while 23 others sustained injuries. At least 74 houses were damaged, 11 of them completely destroyed. Swat, Buner, Bajaur, Torghar, Mansehra, Shangla and Battagram are the most affected districts. The provincial government has released Rs 500 million in relief funds, with Buner allocated Rs 150 million, Bajaur, Battagram and Mansehra Rs 100 million each, and Swat Rs 50 million.
The National Disaster Management Authority has warned of more rainfall from August 18 to 22 in several areas of KP, GB and AJK. The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has assured full support and continued relief assistance for affected families.
