The seventh spell of monsoon rains has wreaked havoc in Pakistan’s northern regions, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) suffering the worst devastation.

Cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides across multiple districts have killed more than 200 people, injured scores, and left many missing. Numerous houses have been destroyed or damaged.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Buner confirmed that 300 deaths occurred in the district alone. Authorities have declared Buner, Bajaur, Battagram, and Mansehra disaster-hit areas.

According to reports, torrential rains, cloudbursts, lightning strikes, overflowing streams, soil erosion, and road blockages have paralysed life in parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), and KPK.

A flood emergency has been imposed in Buner to manage the crisis, while the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warns the current spell of heavy rainfall is likely to continue intermittently until August 21.

NDMA updates

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said that in the past 24 hours alone, 307 people have died in KPK due to rains, floods, landslides, and lightning.

The NDMA confirmed that the Pakistan Army, PDMA, and district administrations are conducting rescue operations and urged the public to remain cautious.

PDMA report

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of KPK reported that 189 people died across the province in the last 24 hours, including 163 men, 14 women, and 12 children. Twenty-one others were injured.

Buner recorded 91 deaths, Shangla and Mansehra 23 each, Bajaur 21, Battagram 15, Swat 11, and Lower Dir five.

Forty-five houses were damaged seven destroyed and 38 partially. Forty-three livestock perished in the floods.

The worst-hit districts are Buner, Bajaur, and Battagram, where rescue operations continue. Two helicopters have been dispatched to Buner and Bajaur.

The KPK government has released PKR 500 million for relief, allocating Rs150 million to Buner, Rs100 million each to Bajaur, Battagram, and Mansehra, and Rs50 million to Swat.

Buner

DC Buner Kashif Qayyum reported severe flooding in Pir Baba and other areas, forcing residents onto rooftops awaiting rescue.

He confirmed 91 deaths — 88 men, two women, and one child. Local youth risked their lives to save a visiting family from Punjab.

A mosque in Gokand collapsed, livestock were swept away, and Pir Baba Police Station was submerged. Rescue 1122 spokesman Bilal Faizi said 2,800 stranded people were rescued, though 17 remain missing.

Bajaur

In Salarzai Tehsil, Bajaur, a cloudburst and lightning strike killed 21 people and injured eight. Nineteen bodies have been recovered, while two remain missing.

The disaster destroyed four houses in Jabrai village.

DC Bajaur Shahid Ali said the dead include 11 men, eight children, and two women. One family lost eight members, while two other families lost five members each.

Rescuers faced challenges due to fast-flowing water, landslides, and blocked routes.

Mansehra and Battagram

Cloudbursts and floods killed 23 people each in Mansehra and Shangla, and 15 in Battagram. In Dheri Haleem near the Mansehra-Battagram border, lightning killed 22 people, including women and a child.

In Balakot, two men drowned when their car was swept away. In Khairabad, Garhi Habibullah, a woman and her 15-year-old daughter died when their house collapsed. Section 144 has been imposed in Siran Valley, banning tourist entry.

Lower Dir

In Suri Pao village, Lal Qila Maidan Tehsil, five people — including two boys, two girls, and a woman — died when a house roof collapsed. Four others were injured.

In Pir Baba, torrential rains swelled local streams, sweeping away eight children, including a schoolteacher in Gokand, and two children in Kalil. Schools have been closed due to flooding.

Swat

Flooding, lightning, and building collapses killed nine people, with three missing. Dozens of homes were damaged, five bridges destroyed, and electricity, mobile, and gas supplies disrupted.

Army flood relief operations

The Pakistan Army is carrying out relief operations in Swat and Bajaur, airlifting stranded residents, and delivering rations and medicines by helicopter. Locals praised the Army’s timely response.

AJK and GB destruction

In AJK, 18 people died in multiple incidents. In Nasirabad Tehsil, Muzaffarabad, a cloudburst triggered flash floods that killed eight people from the same family.

In Bagh, a tourist vehicle was swept away, though occupants survived.

Landslides blocked roads to Jhelum Valley, Leepa Valley, and other areas. All schools have been closed for two days.

In GB, 10 people died in Ghizer and Diamer. Roads to Shandur, Deosai, and several valleys are blocked.

Flash floods destroyed houses, crops, orchards, and power infrastructure in Skardu, Kharmang, and Shigar. Rescue efforts are ongoing with Army assistance.

Government response

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed NDMA to intensify relief efforts and coordinate with the KPK government.

Chief Minister KPK Ali Amin Gandapur has declared a day of mourning tomorrow, with the national flag at half-mast.

Governor KPK Faisal Karim Kundi expressed condolences and instructed rescue agencies to accelerate operations.

Other regions and weather alerts

Heavy rains are forecast for Islamabad, Kashmir, upper Punjab, KPK, and GB. Sindh, including Karachi, may see intense rainfall from August 18–23.

Punjab PDMA reported low-level flooding in the Indus River at Kalabagh, Tarbela, and Taunsa, and medium-level flooding at Chashma. Mangla Dam is 67% full, and Tarbela Dam is 96% full.