Torrential rains continue to devastate Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where flash floods, landslides, and house collapses have claimed dozens of lives. The most severe destruction has been reported in Swabi, where heavy downpours triggered widespread flooding, washed away homes, and left many residents missing beneath debris. Officials and rescue teams are struggling to confirm the exact death toll, as conflicting figures emerge from various authorities.
In Swabi district, at least 17 people were initially reported dead after intense rainfall submerged houses and unleashed landslides in hilly areas. Two additional lives were lost in Nowshera, while several others remain missing. Entire communities in the mountainous Gadoon Amazai belt were cut off after flash floods inundated homes and carried away vehicles and livestock.
Conflicting Death Toll Reports
Local authorities highlighted the difficulty of confirming casualties in remote regions. Swabi Deputy Commissioner Nasrullah Khan revealed that 12 houses were submerged in Dalori village following what locals described as a “cloudburst.” Landslides compounded the crisis, burying residents under rubble and destroying crops and roads.
Provincial leaders offered differing numbers, with some officials stating over 20 deaths and 33 people still missing. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority reported 13 fatalities, including two in Nowshera, while rescue officials confirmed 11 deaths in Swabi alone. Locals insisted that the real figure could be much higher, as more than a dozen residents remained unaccounted for.
Since Friday, the death toll across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has risen to over 340, underscoring the scale of devastation brought on by this monsoon spell.
Families Buried as Houses Collapse
Tragedy struck multiple families in different parts of the province. In Sar Koi Payan, four people were killed when their newly built house collapsed during the heavy rains. The victims were members of a family who had recently returned from Karachi. Local volunteers recovered the bodies from the rubble and transported them to nearby hospitals.
Two Afghan refugees also lost their lives in a roof collapse, while two others drowned in floodwaters in Karnal Sher Khan Kali. Residents described scenes of desperation as people climbed onto rooftops to escape rising water levels, while landslides destroyed roads and paralyzed daily life.
Infrastructure, Crops, and Power Systems Destroyed
The rains left a trail of destruction across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In Bada village, part of the Gadoon Amazai belt, entire vehicles were buried under landslide debris. Electricity systems collapsed, leaving communities without power, while agricultural lands were wiped out. Floodwaters blocked roads, preventing aid from reaching the worst-hit areas in time.
Crops and livestock losses added to the economic strain of families already struggling with displacement. According to preliminary estimates, property damage exceeded Rs126 million, though the figure is expected to rise as assessments continue.
Monsoon Outlook Remains Precarious
Authorities have warned that the monsoon season will remain highly dangerous through late August. Officials confirmed that more heavy downpours and flash floods are expected in the coming weeks, with two to three additional rain spells predicted. The season is not expected to normalize until late September.
So far, the ongoing monsoon rains have resulted in more than 670 deaths across Pakistan, with over 1,000 injured and dozens still missing. Search and rescue operations continue in affected districts, though officials fear the toll could climb further as missing individuals remain unaccounted for.
Relief Efforts and Government Response
In response to the widespread destruction, the federal government has pledged full support for relief and rehabilitation. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the federal cabinet would donate one month’s salary to aid flood victims. He directed federal and provincial institutions to intensify efforts, emphasizing that disaster response must remain above political divides.
Currently, 456 relief camps have been established across affected districts, with 400 rescue operations completed. Relief supplies such as tents, rations, and medicines are being distributed, though residents in remote areas report critical shortages.
The prime minister stressed that financial assistance will be provided under the federal relief package, while national institutions, including the Pakistan Army, are actively supporting rescue and rehabilitation work.
Humanitarian Aid and International Support
Humanitarian agencies have also begun mobilizing resources. UNICEF has dispatched essential medicines to affected areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. The organization expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life and pledged to scale up support to safeguard children and families displaced by the floods.
Relief workers emphasized the urgent need for heavy machinery, such as excavators, to clear debris and recover those trapped under collapsed structures. Local volunteers continue to play a vital role, rescuing families stranded on rooftops and providing shelter to the displaced.
Communities in Crisis
The floods have upended daily life in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Families displaced from their homes are seeking refuge in makeshift shelters, while many remain exposed to unsafe conditions. The destruction of crops and livestock raises concerns about food shortages in the weeks ahead, while the collapse of road networks has left some areas isolated from relief efforts.
Residents voiced frustration at the lack of immediate resources, particularly in hard-hit villages such as Dalori, where locals continue to dig through rubble by hand in search of survivors. “It is not an easy task to pull people out without heavy equipment. Many people remain buried under the rubble,” one resident said.
The Road Ahead
As rains continue, authorities face immense pressure to protect vulnerable communities and minimize further loss of life. The coming weeks are expected to bring additional challenges, with more rain spells forecast before the monsoon season subsides.
The scale of destruction underscores the urgent need for long-term resilience planning, improved flood management infrastructure, and investment in early warning systems. Without these measures, experts warn that communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will remain highly vulnerable to recurring climate disasters.
For now, rescue operations, humanitarian aid, and relief efforts remain the immediate priority, as families continue to mourn their loved ones while bracing for more rainfall in an already precarious season.
