Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed federal ministers to directly supervise relief and rescue operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after catastrophic flash floods devastated the province. The disaster has claimed at least 314 lives, injured 156 people, and caused widespread destruction across multiple districts.
The provincial government declared a state of emergency as torrential rains swept through Buner, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, Bajaur, and other districts. Authorities fear that dozens of victims may still be trapped beneath collapsed homes and debris, as rescue teams continue to search amid heavy rainfall and blocked roads.
Federal Ministers Assigned to Flood-Hit Districts
To ensure coordinated relief, the Prime Minister assigned senior ministers to monitor on-ground efforts:
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Amir Muqam, Minister for Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir Affairs, will supervise relief in Shangla and Buner.
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Awais Leghari, Minister for Power, will lead operations in Buner.
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Sardar Yousaf, Minister for Religious Affairs, will oversee Mansehra.
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Mubarak Zeb, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, will manage relief in Bajaur.
Under the Prime Minister’s Relief Package, additional trucks carrying ration supplies, tents, and medicines are being dispatched to the affected areas.
District-Wise Casualties Reported
According to initial reports, the highest death toll was recorded in Buner, where 209 people lost their lives and 120 others were injured. Other affected districts include:
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Shangla: 36 deaths, 21 injuries
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Mansehra: 24 deaths, 5 injuries
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Bajaur: 21 deaths, 5 injuries
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Swat: 16 deaths, 2 injuries
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Lower Dir: 5 deaths, 3 injuries due to roof collapse and lightning
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Battagram: 3 deaths caused by thunder strikes
The floods have also destroyed 159 houses, including 62 completely flattened homes, and damaged 57 schools across the province.
Rescue Operations Continue Despite Harsh Weather
Search and rescue operations remain ongoing across nine districts, where nearly 2,000 personnel are working to recover bodies and evacuate survivors. In Buner alone, more than 850 people have been shifted to safer areas, while 181 bodies have been recovered from worst-hit localities such as Gaddizi, Bishoni, Malikpur, and Balokhan.
Rescue teams are operating in Daggar, Gokand, and Pir Baba, where dozens of houses have collapsed. In Chagharzai, 41 bodies were recovered while 35 injured individuals were transported to Gulbandi Rural Health Centre.
Authorities have warned that continuous rainfall, damaged roads, and collapsed power lines are hampering relief efforts. Many areas remain without electricity or mobile networks, further complicating coordination.
Punjab Restricts Tourists Amid Monsoon Surge
In light of increasing monsoon activity, the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority has imposed restrictions on tourist travel to Murree and other vulnerable hill stations. Officials have been directed to enforce Section 144 if necessary, and issue public safety advisories through all communication platforms.
Compensation for Victims’ Families
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has begun distributing compensation cheques to the heirs of victims. In Lower Dir’s Maidan area, families of five individuals who died in a roof collapse have already received financial support.
The situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains critical, with ongoing heavy rainfall, collapsed infrastructure, and missing persons still posing challenges to relief operations. The government has assured that all necessary resources are being deployed to provide food, shelter, and medical aid to those affected.
As flood-hit communities struggle with the aftermath, coordinated national relief efforts led by federal ministers aim to stabilize the situation and prevent further loss of life.
