Peshawar/Swat, August 16, 2025: At least 344 people have lost their lives in just 48 hours as floods, landslides, and rain-related incidents wreaked havoc across northern Pakistan, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported on Saturday. Rescue efforts are ongoing as authorities fear the toll may rise further.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has been the worst hit, with 328 deaths reported, followed by Gilgit-Baltistan (12) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (11). Entire districts — including Buner, Swat, Mansehra, Bajaur, and Battagram — have been declared disaster zones after widespread destruction of homes, shops, and infrastructure.
Buner alone has recorded 184 deaths. The KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said Rs500 million has been released for flood-affected areas, including Rs15 million for Buner and Rs10 million each for Bajaur, Battagram, and Mansehra.
Around 2,000 rescue workers are engaged in nine affected districts, but operations face major hurdles. “Heavy rains, landslides, and washed-out roads are blocking relief delivery. In many areas, rescue teams are moving on foot,” said Bilal Ahmed Faizi, spokesman for KP’s Rescue agency.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has activated a nationwide 911 helpline for flood victims. The NDMA confirmed it is coordinating with provincial authorities and the armed forces, dispatching relief items such as ambulances, tents, blankets, food rations, and dewatering pumps.
Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir has issued special instructions for rehabilitation. The army has allocated over 600 tonnes of one-day rations for victims, deployed additional contingents to disaster-hit areas, and directed the Corps of Engineers to repair or install temporary bridges to restore connectivity.
According to KP government spokesperson Barrister Saif, 11 districts have been affected, with 3,817 people impacted overall. Thirty-two people remain missing, while more than 500 rescuers with 90 vehicles and boats are active in relief work.
KP Health Adviser Ihtisham Ali has reached Buner with medical teams and supplies, vowing to provide on-ground assistance.
In Swat, flash floods killed 22 people, with four still missing. Dozens of homes and businesses in Mingora, Matta, and Kokarai were destroyed. Manshera reported 20 deaths, while Abbottabad saw severe flooding that washed away a key bridge in Mangal, isolating villages.
A sombre day of mourning was observed across KP after a government relief helicopter crashed in Mohmand district, killing five personnel including two pilots. Poor weather and fog are believed to be the cause.
AJK’s State Disaster Management Authority confirmed 11 deaths, including five children, while 417 houses were damaged, 104 of them completely destroyed. Rescue operations in Neelum Valley and Jhelum have been completed, with stranded tourists evacuated.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, floods damaged key infrastructure. Bridges in Skardu, Shigar, and Ghanche collapsed, while the Satpara power house remained out of service for a second day. The Naltar Expressway was partly destroyed, leaving tourists stranded, and three local power plants were shut down.
The National Highway Authority (NHA) and federal communications ministry have deployed heavy machinery to clear landslides and repair highways, including the Mansehra-Naran-Babusar route. Federal Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan is personally overseeing restoration efforts in KP and GB.
Federal leaders expressed sorrow over the tragedy. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar postponed overseas engagements to focus on aid, while National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq urged citizens — especially youth — to step forward in relief efforts.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also offered solidarity and pledged full support to the governments of AJK and GB.
