KP Floods: 313 Dead, 156 Injured as Heavy Rains Devastate Province

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has confirmed that 313 people have died and 156 have been injured due to heavy rains and flash floods across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Among the deceased are 263 men, 29 women, and 21 children. At least 159 houses have been damaged, including 62 completely destroyed. Buner has been the worst-hit district with 208 deaths, while Swat, Bajaur, Torghar, Mansehra, Shangla, and Battagram are also badly affected. PDMA has warned of more heavy rain from August 17 to 21.

The KP government has declared a day of mourning for the victims and announced that the provincial flag will fly at half-mast. Relief funds have been released, and all departments have been directed to speed up rescue and relief operations. A control room has also been set up by the Local Government Department to monitor the flood situation around the clock. Survivors have appealed to the government for immediate shelter, food, and medical aid.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to work closely with KP authorities and send urgent supplies of food and medicines to the affected areas. The Pakistan Army has also donated one day’s salary and rations — over 600 tons — to support victims. Additional troops have been deployed to assist in ongoing rescue efforts.

Tragedy struck during relief operations when a KP government helicopter carrying supplies to Bajaur crashed, killing all five crew members on board. Rescue operations are still underway in many flood-hit areas, with PDMA teams, local officials, and volunteers engaged in relief work. In districts like Swat and Mansehra, flash floods and lightning have caused further damage, leaving many families stranded on rooftops and forcing others to evacuate on their own.