PESHAWAR – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is facing catastrophic flooding and landslides following relentless monsoon rains, leaving at least 146 dead and 15 injured across multiple districts, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
The fatalities include 126 men, 8 women, and 12 children, while the injured count 12 men, 2 women, and 1 child.
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Buner, Bajaur, and Batagram are among the hardest-hit districts, with rescue teams from Rescue 1122, police, and local volunteers conducting ongoing operations. In Batagram’s Nilband village, a flash flood killed 10 people, with 18 others still missing. Five houses were destroyed after a lightning strike triggered a sudden flood. From Shamlai-Mandrowali, 10 more bodies have been recovered from the river.
In Bajaur, a cloudburst in Salarzai claimed 16 lives, destroyed four homes, and left seven people missing. In Upper Dir, landslides and heavy rainfall blocked the Dir-Chitral highway for hours, while the Panjkora River swelled dangerously. Rescue teams saved 12 people trapped in floodwaters in Brawal.
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Swat, Dir, Shangla, Mansehra, and other areas also saw extensive flooding, submerging parts of Mingora city and other localities. Authorities warned residents to avoid rivers and flood-affected roads and advised tourists to postpone travel.
Tragically, during relief operations, a government helicopter crashed near Chainge Banda in Bajaur, killing three crew members. Another helicopter was already assisting rescue operations in Buner when severe weather disrupted operations. PDMA has deployed additional helicopters to aid relief efforts in the most affected districts.
Overall, 35 homes have suffered damage, seven of them completely destroyed. PDMA teams continue to coordinate with local administrations to provide immediate relief, restore roads, and ensure the safety of residents. The monsoon rains are expected to continue intermittently until 21 August.
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The PDMA emergency operations centre remains fully functional, and the public can report incidents or seek guidance via the helpline 1700. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and urge everyone to follow safety advisories.
