Buner worst-hit as northern flash flood deaths cross 340
Flash floods devastate Buner and northern Pakistan, killing 327 as rescue operations struggle amid widespread destruction.
KP-Flood (Special-Correspondent / Web Desk)- Flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall have wreaked havoc across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with Buner emerging as the hardest-hit district. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported on Saturday that the death toll in KP surged to 327, with over 200 lives lost in just one day.
KP declares emergency after record-breaking flood disaster
Authorities have declared an emergency in nine districts, including Buner, Swat, Shangla, Bajaur, and Mansehra. The government has allocated Rs1 billion to PDMA for relief efforts and Rs1.55 billion to restore highways and bridges. Officials confirmed that over 120 people were injured, while dozens remain missing.
Rescue teams struggle amid damaged roads and landslides
Rescue operations face immense challenges as landslides and destroyed roads block access to remote areas. According to Rescue 1122, over 2,000 workers are on the ground, supported by an elite rescue squad. Despite this, damaged mobile towers and washed-out bridges are slowing progress. Many rescue teams are traveling on foot to reach survivors.
Prime minister orders urgent relief in flood-hit areas
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the disaster and directed the NDMA to expedite rescue operations. He stressed immediate relief for stranded residents, medical assistance for the injured, and restoration of connectivity in the worst-affected regions. KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also visited flood-hit areas to meet victims.
Thousands affected as power and transport networks collapse
Floodwaters damaged the 132 kV Swat grid station, cutting electricity for thousands of households. In Gilgit-Baltistan’s Naltar Valley, tourists remain stranded after the main road was washed away. The KP government, Pakistan Red Crescent, and various local authorities have set up emergency centers to provide food, shelter, and medical aid.
The PDMA has warned that rainfall is likely to continue until August 21, raising fears of more destruction. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has alerted Balochistan about another monsoon spell beginning August 18.
Flash Floods Destroy Roads, Bridges & Homes Across KP
The situation remains critical as families mourn their loved ones and communities struggle to recover. With thousands displaced and infrastructure in ruins, relief efforts are ongoing, but the scale of devastation highlights the urgent need for long-term disaster management strategies.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.