At least 325 people, including 142 children, have died and 743 others have been injured since June 26 in flash floods and torrential rains that have battered several parts of Pakistan, according to daily data from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
DNA/Bureau Report
MUZAFFARABAD/GILGIT/BAJAUR: At least 150 people lost their lives, 15 others were injured and several remained missing as flash floods wreaked havoc across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said.
Since late June, monsoon rains have wreaked havoc across the country — especially KP and northern regions — by triggering deadly floods, landslides and displacement, particularly in vulnerable, poorly drained, or densely populated areas.
At least 325 people, including 142 children, have died and 743 others have been injured since June 26 in flash floods and torrential rains that have battered several parts of Pakistan, according to daily data from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Buner Deputy Commissioner Kashif Qayum Khan confirmed that 78 people had lost their lives, while “several” were missing.
The KP government said a provincial govt MI-17 rescue helicopter had reached Buner to evacuate people to safe areas.Meanwhile, in Gilgit Baltistan, at least 10 people were killed as a result of landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains.
According to GB government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq, three people, including a woman, were killed in Khalthi valley of district Ghizer, where more than half a dozen houses were buried under debris. Three others remain missing, with rescue teams conducting search operations.
In Diamer’s Bonar area, a brother and sister were swept away by raging floodwaters, while a child was injured in a landslide on the Babusar road.
Flash floods also ravaged Ghizer’s Yasin Thoi, damaging houses, schools, water tanks and agricultural land. Landslides disrupted travel on the Baltistan and Sadpara roads, while Thor in Diamer reported severe destruction. The Astore valley wasn’t spared either. Floods also damaged agricultural land and roads in the area.
Meanwhile, in Kohistan, floods damaged a bridge on the Karakoram Highway, disrupting traffic between GB and rest of the country.
The GB government has imposed emergency measures in several areas, directing the GB Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) and Rescue 1122 to remain on high alert. Relief and search operations are under way despite challenging weather conditions. “This is a testing time for Gilgit-Baltistan,” said Faraq. “The government is mobilising all available resources to assist the affected communities.”
Buner District Police Officer (DPO) also told Dawn.com in an earlier statement that 54 bodies were brought to a Tehsil Headquarters Hospital.
PTI MNA Gohar Ali Khan, who is from Malakand Division’s Buner district, said on X: “The flood in Buner has so far claimed 78 lives.”
