Floods Wreak Havoc in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Heavy rains have battered Pakistan since the end of June, leading to deadly floods across several regions. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the provincial government has now released Rs800 million to support all districts affected by the disaster. They set aside an extra Rs500 million just for Buner, the hardest-hit spot, where the death count keeps climbing.
The toll stands at 341 lives lost in KP alone, with 178 people hurt. Nationwide, the numbers are even higher, reaching 660 deaths and 935 injuries from rain-linked events.
Key Areas Bear the Brunt
Buner district has seen the most pain, with 222 deaths and 120 injuries reported. Flash floods there wiped out 95 homes and damaged 55 schools. Nearby Shangla lost 36 people, with 21 more injured.
In Swabi, a sudden cloudburst in the Gadoon Amazai hills claimed at least 11 lives, mostly women and children. Rescue teams pulled out eight bodies so far, but 33 others remain missing. Landslides added to the chaos, burying homes under rubble. Locals say the fast-moving water made escape tough, and they need heavy machines to dig through the debris.
Another burst of rain in Swabi’s Sar Koi Payan area killed four from one family who had just come back from Karachi. Districts like Swat, Mansehra, Bajaur, Lower Dir, Battagram, and Nowshera also reported losses. Swat faced the worst property hits, with 220 houses damaged and 163 animals gone.
- Deaths by district: Buner (222), Shangla (36), Swabi (15 total from recent events), others scattered.
- Infrastructure toll: Hundreds of homes, schools, and bridges down across KP.
- Livestock losses: Over 160 in Swat alone, hurting farmers badly.
To add context, these floods stem from intense monsoon spells, which experts say could continue until September. This pattern has repeated in past years, but this season’s rains have been fiercer in the north.
This clip captures the rushing waters and damage in Swabi, giving a real-time view of the crisis.
Wider Impact in Other Regions
The trouble isn’t limited to KP. In Punjab, schools in Murree shut for two days due to landslide threats from non-stop rain. Rivers there are swelling, with medium floods in some spots.
Gilgit-Baltistan counts 45 deaths and 42 injuries since late June. Nearly 1,000 homes are damaged, and 87 bridges are out, cutting off roads. In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, four people died in separate accidents on slippery roads, including a doctor whose car got carried away by a stream.
A cloudburst in Sudhnoti wrecked four houses and some bridges, but folks there got out in time, avoiding more deaths.
Relief and Support Steps Up
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has promised full backing from the center. He said the federal cabinet will donate their one-month pay to help victims. Ministers are now in charge of fixing roads, power, and water supplies quickly.
The National Disaster Management Authority has set up over 425 relief camps, handing out food, medicine, and other basics. Rescue work goes on, with the army pitching in across provinces.
KP’s irrigation minister noted that in Swabi, 14 from one family died in the floods. Officials warn of more rain ahead, with two or three spells possible before things calm down.
Sindh’s government offered help too, urging unity beyond politics in tough times.
In the end, authorities stress quick action to find the missing and rebuild. With monsoon risks lingering, people in low areas should stay alert.
