Torrential rains and a powerful cloudburst have left 146 people dead and 15 injured across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), while a Pakistan Army MI-17 helicopter carrying flood relief supplies crashed, killing all five personnel aboard.
The PDMA report states that victims include 126 men, 8 women, and 12 children, with rescue operations underway in multiple districts. Heavy rainfall has also damaged 35 houses, seven beyond repair. Officials are urging residents to remain cautious and follow PDMA advisories.
The helicopter was en route to Bajaur’s flood-affected Salarzai tehsil when it lost radar contact over Mohmand district due to bad weather. K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur confirmed the tragedy, praising the crew for their bravery and announcing a day of mourning with flags at half-mast. The provincial government has dispatched ground teams to recover the wreckage and remains.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has established a special flood emergency cell at the PM Office to coordinate nationwide relief efforts. Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that NDMA is scaling up operations in K-P and AJK while coordinating closely with local governments.
District-wise impact
Bajaur (Salarzai tehsil): 21 dead, four homes destroyed, rescue operations ongoing.
Buner: 78 fatalities reported; residents stranded, Peer Baba and surrounding areas heavily flooded.
Battagram (Neel Band): 10 dead, 16 missing; emergency teams deployed.
Swat, Dir, Balakot: Roads washed away, homes flooded, residents evacuated; tourists rescued from swollen streams and riverbanks.
In Swat, heavy rains washed away a 400-meter stretch of Malam Jabba road, while homes and businesses in Mingora Khwar were inundated. Lightning strikes in Manglor’s Besbanr area killed a young girl, adding to the devastation.
Authorities warn that heavy rainfall will continue until August 21, with landslides and flooding posing serious threats. Scientists attribute this year’s unusually intense monsoon to climate change, which has increased the frequency and severity of extreme weather events in Pakistan.
This year’s monsoon has already caused over 320 deaths nationwide, nearly half of them children, marking one of the deadliest seasons in recent memory. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and prioritize safety amid ongoing relief efforts.
