KP flash floods claim more the 250 lives, rescue crash kills 5

PK-Flood – (Special Correspondent / Web Desk) – At least 256 people have died, and many remain missing as powerful flash floods struck Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). Since late June, heavy monsoon rains have caused devastation across Pakistan, especially in KP and northern areas, triggering deadly floods, landslides, and the displacement of communities living in vulnerable, poorly drained, or densely populated regions.

The PDMA confirmed that the provincial death toll includes 172 men, 14 women, and 12 children. Buner district has suffered the worst losses, with 91 reported deaths. The disaster has also destroyed 45 homes, three schools, and eight other structures, including 26 houses in Swat alone. The PDMA reported that 37 houses were partially damaged and seven were completely destroyed. Officials have warned that heavy rains may continue intermittently until August 21.

On special orders from the KP Chief Minister, relief funds have been issued for districts severely affected by the floods. A total of Rs500 million has been allocated—Rs150 million for Buner, Rs100 million each for Bajaur, Battagram, and Mansehra, and Rs50 million for Swat. Authorities have directed all relevant institutions to intensify rescue operations and urged district administrations to take preventive measures ahead of more bad weather.

KP floods: CM Gandapur declares day of mourning as death toll rises to 229

In a video message, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur stated that all departments and institutions are actively involved in rescue operations, which are being monitored from a control room at the CM House in Peshawar. He noted that the Malakand and Hazara regions have been hit especially hard by cloudbursts and rain, leading to tragic accidents and significant loss of life.

The chief minister revealed that two provincial government helicopters were carrying out rescue missions, but one tragically crashed due to bad weather, killing all five crew members—two pilots and three others. He called the victims heroes and reassured the public that the administration is on high alert, using heavy machinery to clear blocked roads and evacuate stranded residents. Provincial lawmakers are also in the affected areas coordinating relief work.

The KP Health Department has declared a health emergency in the Buner, Swat, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Bajaur, and Mohmand districts. Hospitals have been instructed to set up flood control rooms, ensure medicine supplies, and keep medical equipment operational. All healthcare staff are on high alert, with leaves cancelled to guarantee adequate medical support for victims.

Earlier, a KP government helicopter carrying supplies to Bajaur lost contact and later was confirmed to have crashed. The provincial government announced a day of mourning, with flags at half-mast, and said the crew will be buried with full honors.

Buner Deputy Commissioner Kashif Qayum Khan reported 78 confirmed deaths in his district, with many still missing. Rescue teams are using helicopters to reach remote areas, where floodwaters have submerged entire neighborhoods and destroyed mosques and livestock. Communication remains difficult in many areas, and the true scale of the disaster will only be clear once the waters recede.

Bajaur has also suffered severe losses, with 21 deaths—including eight children—and multiple injuries. Lightning strikes have killed 15 men in Battagram, while 14 people have died in Mansehra due to flooding. In Swat, flash floods and thunder strikes claimed 11 lives, while roof collapses in Lower Dir and Shangla killed seven people and injured several others.

According to Rescue 1122, more than 157 bodies have been recovered so far, and over 100 people—including women and children—have been rescued and moved to safety. Officials have warned that rescue operations remain challenging due to blocked roads, bad weather, and damaged infrastructure.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has expressed deep condolences over the loss of life, flooding, and the helicopter crash. He spoke with KP leaders, offering solidarity and medical support, including treatment facilities in Karachi for those injured.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to accelerate rescue operations in Battagram and expressed his grief over the disaster. Across Pakistan, the recent wave of floods and torrential rains has claimed at least 507 lives—including 159 children—and injured 768 people since June 26, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).