Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa experienced a devastating loss of life within a 48-hour period, with flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rainfall claiming the lives of approximately 344 individuals. Rescue teams continued their efforts to sift through mud and debris on Saturday. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) recorded 324 deaths in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, with additional fatalities reported in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB). At least 137 people sustained injuries as homes collapsed and floodwaters swept away residents, livestock, and vehicles. The provincial government declared six districts – Buner, Bajaur, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, and Battagram – as disaster-stricken due to the widespread destruction. Thousands of homes were destroyed, and major roads, bridges, and link routes were washed away, severely complicating relief and rescue operations. Heavy rainfall, landslides, and washed-out roads severely hampered rescue efforts, particularly the transportation of heavy machinery and ambulances. In some areas, workers faced long walks to reach disaster sites. Efforts focused on evacuating survivors, although few were relocating due to the deaths of relatives or loved ones trapped in the debris. Approximately 2,000 personnel were deployed for rescue operations, with officials cautioning that more victims might remain trapped under rubble in remote areas. In Shangla district alone, 37 deaths were confirmed, with several others still missing. Torrential flooding, landslides, and lightning strikes injured hundreds, destroyed homes, and displaced entire communities. Eleven fatalities occurred in PoJK, nine in PoGB, and five in Bajaur district, including those from a government helicopter that crashed during a relief mission due to inclement weather on Friday.
