ISLAMABAD: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Friday confirmed that heavy monsoon rains and flash floods over the past 24 hours have claimed 229 lives across northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
According to the PDMA, fatal incidents were recorded in Swat, Buner, Bajaur, Torghar, Mansehra, Shangla, and Battagram, with Bajaur and Battagram identified as the worst-affected districts.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in rain-related incidents in the province.
The PDMA has warned that the spell of heavy rains is likely to continue intermittently until August 21, potentially aggravating the flood situation in vulnerable districts.
PM directs accelerated rescue operation
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the authorities concerned to accelerate the rescue operation in Battagram district, after a cloudburst caused deaths and a flood situation.
The prime minister, in a statement, expressed grief over the deaths and prayed for peace for those who lost their lives in the flash flood.
He also conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for strength for them to bear the loss.
He also directed the provision of immediate and all possible medical assistance to the injured.
Pakistan Army continues flood relief operation
Meanwhile Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are continuing flood relief operations in Swat and Bajaur.
IGFC North’s helicopter is engaged in relief activities and providing rations and other supplies to the affected people. People are being evacuated from flood-affected areas to safe places.
The operation will continue till all affected people are rescued and shifted to safe places.
Emergency in Buner
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Buner reported that flash floods in the Gokand and Pir Baba areas have caused widespread devastation, claiming 78 lives.
Happening now: Disastrous flooding in Mingora, Swat District, Malakand Division, Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/3I8vQ139ZH
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) August 15, 2025
The most severely affected areas were Salarzai and Jabarai in Bajaur district, where cloudbursts and lightning strikes left at least 21 people dead and many others injured. Entire houses were swept away, several villages submerged, and seven individuals remain missing. Rescue 1122 teams, supported by local residents, are actively involved in relief and rescue operations.
In the border village of Neil Band, located between Battagram and Mansehra, a cloudburst around 3am on Thursday washed away three to four homes. Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Saleem Khan confirmed that the death toll in the area has risen to 18. Rescue personnel, revenue department staff, and volunteers from the Alkhidmat Foundation are participating in the ongoing search efforts.
In Basyan, Mansehra, a flash flood carried away a vehicle with six occupants. Three lost their lives, while the remaining three survived. Several homes were destroyed in the area, and assessments are underway to determine losses in livestock and property.
🇵🇰 43 dead, 14 injured as heavy rains and powerful floods batter Pakistan — Sputnik
Hundreds of homes swamped, families stranded on rooftops
Evacuations underway, but forecasters warn the downpour may last until Aug 21 pic.twitter.com/swT61dTItR
— RT (@RT_com) August 15, 2025
Separately, a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government helicopter involved in flood relief efforts tragically crashed, resulting in the loss of five lives.
Helicopter crash
At least five people were killed when a rescue helicopter of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government crashed in the northwestern district of Mohmand on Friday, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur confirmed.
The MI-17 helicopter was assisting flood victims in Bajaur district when it lost communication due to severe weather conditions. Initially reported missing, the aircraft was later confirmed to have crashed during its mission.
Two pilots were among the five people who died in the crash. CM Gandpur has announced a day of mourning for tomorrow, with the national flag to fly at half-mast.
Gilgit-Baltistan
In GB, floods claimed 10 lives—eight in Ghizer district and two siblings in Diamer. Roads were blocked and power supply disrupted, though some routes have been restored.
Devastating weather patterns across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, 103 deaths from KP alone, dozens of people missing in flash floods, GLOF’s and cloud bursts in the last 12 hours . 43 bodies in one hospital in Buner alone. The video is from Pir… pic.twitter.com/IAFbnbOFoB
— Iftikhar Firdous (@IftikharFirdous) August 15, 2025
Azad Jammu and Kashmir
In AJK, eight people died and two were injured due to heavy rains and landslides. Multiple bridges, roads, and houses were destroyed. In Neelum Valley, a cloudburst swept away several bridges and guesthouses, stranding hundreds of tourists, many of whom have since been rescued.
Over 700 stranded tourists in Neelum
State Disaster Management Authority, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, has successfully rescued more than 700 tourists stranded in Ratti Gali in Neelum.
According to SDMA, the tourists were brought to the main road in a 23-hour-long rescue operation. About one and a half kilometers road has been washed away by floodwater.
A medical camp was established on the main road with the cooperation of the Pakistan Army where the district administration and DDMA arranged food for the tourists. After this, all the tourists were sent to their respective areas.
SDMA has appealed to the public to avoid unnecessary travel in view of the risks of rain and landslides and follow government’s instructions.
Pakistan, which contributes less than 1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change.
Scientists report that rising temperatures are causing South Asia’s monsoon rains to become increasingly erratic and intense, heightening the risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous regions such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.
