Flash Floods Devastate Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Rescue Operations Continue Amid Rising Death Toll
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Rescue operations entered their third consecutive day in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) as flash floods triggered by relentless monsoon rains claimed at least 314 lives and left 156 injured, according to a report released Sunday by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). The disaster has caused widespread destruction across multiple districts, prompting the KP government to declare a state of emergency.
Emergency Declared as Torrential Rains Ravage Northern Districts
Officials issued the emergency declaration on Saturday after torrential downpours wreaked havoc across Buner, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, and Bajaur. The floods swept away homes, displaced families, and severely damaged infrastructure. Moreover, authorities fear that dozens of victims may still be trapped under the debris.
- Buner emerged as the worst-hit district, reporting 209 fatalities and 120 injuries.
- Shangla recorded 36 deaths and 21 injuries.
- Mansehra and Bajaur each reported over 20 deaths and multiple injuries.
- Swat saw 16 men killed, while Lower Dir and Battagram reported deaths due to thunder strikes and roof collapses.
Infrastructure Damage and Rescue Challenges
The PDMA report highlighted extensive damage to public infrastructure:
- 159 houses damaged, including 62 destroyed
- 57 schools partially damaged across KP
In Buner’s Gadezai area, continuous rainfall has made it impossible to reopen key causeways, hampering relief efforts. Rescue teams have deployed heavy machinery, but limited access persists due to flooded roads and fallen trees.
Rescue Efforts Intensify Across Nine Districts
KP Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmed Faizi confirmed that over 2,000 rescue personnel are actively engaged in operations across nine districts. Despite ongoing rainfall, teams are working around the clock to recover bodies and assist survivors.
“Concerns continue that dozens of people may be trapped under the rubble, and the chances of survival are very slim,” Faizi told AFP.
In Buner alone, rescue teams have saved over 850 people and relocated them to safer areas. Rescue 1122 teams have recovered 181 bodies from Gaddizi, Bishoni, Malikpur, Balokhan, and other severely affected zones.
- In Daggar, officials reported 30 fatalities and evacuated 202 individuals, including women and children.
- Chagharzai saw 41 bodies recovered, with 35 injured taken to Rural Health Centre Hospital in Gulbandi.
- Rescue teams made additional recoveries in Salmani (Mandanr) and transferred the victims to the district headquarters hospital.
Rescue teams from Swabi and Peshawar have joined local efforts, with emergency vehicles and personnel on high alert to provide timely assistance.
Tourist Restrictions Imposed in Murree
In response to the escalating monsoon activity, consequently, the Punjab PDMA has issued directives to restrict tourist access to Murree and other vulnerable mountainous regions. Furthermore, officials sent a formal letter to provincial tourism and administrative authorities, urging them to enforce Section 144 where necessary.
The PDMA emphasised:
- Restricting tourist entry until the monsoon subsides
- Coordinating with law enforcement for enforcement
- Disseminating public safety advisories via electronic, print, and social media
Final Note on Flash Floods Devastate Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
As rescue operations continue under challenging conditions, indeed, the scale of devastation underscores the urgent need for coordinated disaster response and climate-resilient infrastructure. Furthermore, Authorities remain vigilant, advising the public to follow official safety guidelines and avoid travel to high-risk areas.
