Over 340 Dead in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa After Flash Floods Strike

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has been struck by a devastating flash flood, claiming the lives of over 340 people within a span of just 48 hours. Rescue teams worked tirelessly on Saturday, continuing to dig through the debris left by the floods. The NDMA’s records indicate 324 deaths in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, with additional casualties reported in PoJK and PoGB. At least 137 people sustained injuries due to the collapse of homes and the devastating impact of the floodwaters. The provincial government declared six districts as disaster areas due to the widespread damage: Buner, Bajaur, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, and Battagram. Thousands of homes were destroyed, and key infrastructure like roads and bridges was wiped out, which hindered the delivery of aid and rescue operations. Rescue efforts were significantly impeded by factors such as heavy rainfall, landslides, and road closures, especially concerning the transport of heavy machinery and ambulances. Rescue workers faced difficult conditions, including having to walk long distances to reach the affected areas. Their primary goal was to evacuate survivors, but the tragic circumstances, especially the loss of loved ones, made relocation challenging. Approximately 2,000 personnel were involved in rescue missions, with officials warning that more victims might still be trapped under rubble in remote locations. Shangla district alone reported 37 confirmed deaths, and many people remain missing. Torrential flooding, landslides, and lightning strikes resulted in hundreds of injuries, widespread destruction of homes, and displacement of entire communities. Eleven deaths were reported in PoJK, nine in PoGB, and five in Bajaur district, including fatalities from a crashed government helicopter carrying out relief operations.