Rescue and relief operations are in full swing across flood-hit districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The Pakistan Army Engineers Corps has reopened the Pir Baba bypass and cleared debris from the Pir Baba bazaar to restore traffic and help residents. Roads blocked by landslides in Buner, including routes to Gokand village and Aluch–Poran, have also been cleared with heavy machinery.
Urban Search and Rescue teams continue operations in Bishoni and Qadir Nagar. Officials confirmed that five bodies were recovered from a stream near Bishoni. Authorities say rescue missions will continue until full restoration of access and services in affected areas.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), flash floods triggered by heavy rains and cloudbursts have killed at least 341 people in KP since Friday. Buner remains the worst-hit district, with more than 200 deaths. Across Pakistan, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has reported at least 660 deaths since late June, with KP recording the highest toll.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of more widespread rain and thunderstorms in KP, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Islamabad. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to cause flash floods in KP, Kashmir, and northeastern Balochistan. The advisory also warned of possible urban flooding in Peshawar, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad, as well as landslides in hilly areas such as Murree and Galliyat.
Amid worsening conditions, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Higher Education Department has closed all colleges and universities in vulnerable areas until August 25. Damage assessment reports show boundary walls and water systems of several institutions have collapsed or been washed away. Online classes will continue to minimize disruption.
The federal and provincial governments have pledged full support. KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced salary donations from ministers, lawmakers, and staff, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his cabinet also committed their salaries to aid flood victims.
Experts warn that climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme weather. Unchecked construction along waterways and poor waste management have further worsened the impact of heavy rains. Pakistan, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, continues to struggle with recurring monsoon disasters.
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