August 16, 2025

Brace yourself for a storm disaster from Pakistan! For over a day, heavy rains crashed down over Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), leaving behind a trail of death and destruction. Officials reported a shocking death toll of at least 154 people, with many more injured and missing. The hardest-hit was Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province where flash floods swept through several districts. The worst pain was felt in Buner district, with a heartbreaking 75 lives lost. Mansehra suffered 17 deaths, while Bajaur and Batagram witnessed 18 fatalities each. Faizi, the spokesman for the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), told PTI, "Over 125 people, including children, have died as the cloud burst followed by flash floods struck parts of the province since Thursday night." Rescue teams and locals have been tirelessly pulling bodies out of the water, but Faizi warned, "the number of deaths is expected to rise further as scores of people are still missing." Heavy losses also came from Lower Dir (5 dead, 4 injured), Swat (4 dead), and Shangla (1 dead, 2 injured). Bajaur’s District Emergency Officer Amjad Khan is leading round-the-clock search and rescue operations. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army is moving swiftly, relocating residents from flooded zones to safety in Swat and Bajaur. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Amin Ali Gandapur is not wasting any time either, ordering all resources to be deployed and personally instructing officials to oversee relief work. The disaster did not spare Gilgit-Baltistan in PoK either. Flash floods clobbered Ghizer district, killing eight and leaving two missing. More than a dozen homes, vehicles, schools, and health centers took a hit. The famous Karakoram and Baltistan highways, crucial lifelines of the region, were blocked at several points. The scenic Neelum Valley also faced chaos. Tourists at Ratti Gali lake base, over 600 in number, were told to stay put after the connecting road was washed away. Two vital bridges over Lawat Nullah disappeared in the floods, and the Jagran Nullah flood tore away another bridge in Kundal Shahi. Even a popular riverside restaurant and at least three homes were swept off! In Jhelum Valley, a cloudburst in Palhot led to a sudden flash flood, damaging roads and trapping vehicles. Authorities quickly warned about rising Neelum River levels and started plans to move families living nearby to safety. Tragedy also struck in Muzaffarabad district where a massive landslide buried a six-member family in Sarli Sacha village. In Sudhnoti district, a young man aged 26 was swept away by a strong stream, and in Bagh district, a 57-year-old woman died when her house collapsed. Monsoon rains since late June have been a nightmare across Pakistan, especially in northern regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Floods, landslides, and heavy rains have caused chaos, death, and forced many to flee their homes. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reports that since the start of the season till Thursday, over 325 people including 142 children have died. The skies might be pouring blessings, but this monsoon has turned into a terrifying storm for many.

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Tags: Pakistan floods, Khyber pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-baltistan, Pakistan-occupied kashmir, Monsoon rains, Natural disaster,