The death toll from the devastating floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has climbed to 323, while 156 people have been injured, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
The report confirmed that among the deceased were 263 men, 29 women, and 21 children. Of the injured, 123 were men, 23 women, and 10 children. The floods also damaged 336 houses, with 160 completely destroyed and 320 partially damaged.
Buner district remains the worst-hit, recording 209 deaths. Other affected districts include Swat, Bajaur, Torghar, Mansehra, Shangla, and Battagram. The PDMA has warned of more heavy rainfall between August 17 and 21, which could worsen the situation in already vulnerable areas.
Rescue and relief efforts are ongoing. The Chief Minister of KP has released funds for affected regions and instructed departments to speed up operations. Special control rooms have also been set up by the Local Government Department to monitor the disaster around the clock.
The federal government has activated the 911 emergency helpline nationwide to provide instant assistance in flood-hit areas, especially where communication networks remain down.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to coordinate closely with provincial authorities and ensure urgent delivery of aid, including food and medicines. He stressed that relief supplies must be sent to flood-affected areas without delay.
The Pakistan Army has also stepped in, donating one day’s salary and over 600 tons of rations for victims. Additional troops have been deployed to reinforce rescue activities across the province.
Meanwhile, tragedy struck when a KP government relief helicopter crashed in Bajaur during an operation, killing all five crew members on board. The provincial government has announced full state honors for the martyrs.
In Swat and surrounding areas, hundreds of homes have been submerged, forcing many families to take refuge on rooftops. Volunteers and local teams continue to evacuate people from low-lying areas as the rains persist.
Authorities warn that the ongoing spell of rainfall could further increase risks of flooding, urging residents in sensitive districts to remain cautious.
For the full story on this tragic rescue mission, read more about the KP helicopter crash and martyrdom here.
