Pakistan flood death toll surges past 300 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Army mobilises for relief
Peshawar/Islamabad: The death toll from the recent flash floods in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province has risen to 327, including more than a dozen children, in the past 48 hours, according to provincial authorities on Saturday.
In total, 151 people have died across the country in the last 24 hours. Of these, 144 were in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while seven fatalities were reported in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), as stated by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Monsoon rains continue to take their toll
Since the onset of the monsoon season on June 26, a total of 645 people have lost their lives across Pakistan, with more than 50% of the fatalities concentrated in the mountainous KPK province, the NDMA's figures revealed.
Torrential rains, which have caused flash floods in multiple districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since Thursday, are expected to persist intermittently until August 21, as forecasted by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
Buner district the worst hit
According to PDMA spokesman Faizi, in the past 48 hours, the province has witnessed widespread devastation. Buner district has been the hardest hit, with 204 lives lost, the situation report revealed. Rescue operations continue, and the death toll in the district rose as 20 more bodies were recovered during the day.
Other affected districts include Shangla with 36 deaths, Mansehra (23), Swat (22), Bajaur (21), and Battagram (15). Lower Dir reported five deaths, while a child drowned in Abbottabad. The fatalities include at least 15 women and 13 children.
At least 120 people have been injured in the flooding, while 50 people are still missing, according to the Deputy Commissioner’s office in the region.
Pakistan Army mobilises for flood relief
In response to the crisis, Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir issued special directives to support relief and rehabilitation efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Troops deployed in the province will provide full assistance, with additional contingents being sent to the affected areas.
The Pakistan Army has pledged one day’s salary of its personnel to the relief fund and allocated over 600 tonnes of rations for the flood victims. The Corps of Engineers has also been tasked with repairing damaged bridges and setting up temporary crossings where necessary.
Army helicopters and aviation units have been actively engaged in rescue and relief operations across the worst-hit districts. Additionally, the army's K-9 sniffer dog unit and a specialized Urban Search and Rescue team have been deployed to assist with operations in the most affected areas.
Provincial govt calls high-level meeting to address crisis
On Saturday, a high-level meeting was held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, to review the ongoing emergency situation. A comprehensive briefing was provided on the damage caused and the ongoing rescue and relief efforts in the affected districts.
The PDMA has been allocated Rs 1.5 billion for rescue, relief, and compensation payments. The Communication Department has also been granted Rs 1.5 billion for the restoration of roads and infrastructure. Additionally, Rs 500 million has been earmarked for compensation payments to the families of those who lost their lives.
Continued losses nationwide
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that in the last 24 hours, 151 people have been killed, bringing the total death toll since June 26 to 645. The fatalities are spread across Pakistan as follows:
- 383 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- 164 in Punjab
- 28 in Sindh
- 20 in Balochistan
- 8 in the Islamabad Capital Region
- 42 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)
Moreover, 905 individuals have been injured, with the highest number of casualties in Punjab (582), followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (232), Sindh (40), Balochistan (4), Islamabad (3), and PoK (44).
PTI