KP floods death toll rises to 323, 156 injured

PESHAWAR: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has released latest report on the loss of lives and property caused by recent heavy rains and flash floods across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), ARY News reported.

According to the PDMA, 323 people lost their lives and 156 were injured in various incidents. Among the deceased are 263 men, 29 women, and 21 children, while the injured include 123 men, 23 women, and 10 children.

According to the report 336 houses were damaged, including 320 partially damaged and 160 completely destroyed.

Buner district was reported as the worst-hit area, with 209 deaths recorded. Other affected districts include Swat, Bajaur, Torghar, Mansehra, Shangla, and Battagram.

The PDMA has also warned of more heavy rainfall between August 17 and 19, with the spell expected to continue until August 21.

In response, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has ordered the release of relief funds for the affected districts and directed all relevant departments to accelerate rescue and relief operations.

Latest updates on KP floods here

Mourning in KP

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government had observed a day of mourning after devastating flash floods wreaked havoc across the province.

After the rescue helicopter crash in KP, the Chief Minister yesterday announced that the provincial flag would fly at half-mast and the martyrs would be laid to rest with full state honors. He prayed for the elevation of their ranks and patience for their bereaved families.

911 emergency helpline

Under the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s federal government has instantly activated 911 emergency helpline nationwide.

The initiative aims to deliver instant assistance to citizens facing natural disasters and other critical situations.

According to the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, the purpose of 911 emergency helpline is to work in areas having damaged or inactive mobile network towers.

Special control rooms

The Local Government Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has set up a special control room.

According to the official notification, the control room has been established at the Directorate General to monitor the KP floods and related emergency developments. Special staff have been assigned duties to ensure round-the-clock supervision of the situation.

PM Shehbaz directs Swift action for flood-hit regions

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif Minister directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) NDMA to continue close coordination with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government and to utilise all available resources for rescue and relief operations.

Presiding over a meeting to assess the ongoing rainfall and flood situation across the country. PM Shehbaz directed concerned officials to take all-out relief efforts in flood-affected areas.

He directed that that aid supplies, including rations and medicines, be urgently dispatched to the affected regions via trucks on a priority basis.

The NDMA chairman briefed the prime minister on the damages caused by heavy rains and flooding.

Pak Army’s response 

The Pakistan Army announced the donation of one day’s salary to support the rehabilitation of people affected by devastating floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to security sources, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir reaffirmed that the Army would provide full support for the rehabilitation of flood victims, with additional troops being deployed to reinforce relief activities.

Alongside salaries, the Army has allocated one day’s rations — amounting to more than 600 tons — for distribution among flood-hit families.

Helicopter crash

During the relief operation, KP government’s MI-17 helicopter, carrying relief supplies to Salarzai in Bajaur, crashed. All five crew members on board embraced martyrdom in the accident.

Rescue operations are ongoing in the disaster-hit areas, with PDMA teams, local authorities, and volunteers engaged in relief efforts.

The PDMA has warned that the spell of heavy rains is likely to continue intermittently until August 21, potentially aggravating the flood situation in vulnerable districts.

Read more: Flash floods devastate KP: 10 bodies recovered in Battagram

Survivors have urged the government to speed up rescue activities and arrange immediate shelter for those left homeless.

In Mansehra, lightning and a cloudburst also triggered flooding, with reports of further casualties and property losses.

Meanwhile, in Swat’s Mingora, Malam Jabba, Haji Baba, Khwazakhela, and Marghazar, low-lying areas have been submerged, flooding hundreds of homes and cutting off access to several localities.

Many residents, including women and children, have taken refuge on rooftops, while in some areas people are evacuating on their own due to the worsening situation.