At least 340 dead as rescue operations continue across northern Pakistan
Buner reports highest death toll with 184 fatalities; Barrister Saif says as many as 3,817 people affected from floods
Peshawar: At least 344 peoples lost their lives in 48 hours as floods, landslides, and rain-related incidents devastated northern Pakistan, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Saturday, with rescue operations underway to restore normalcy in the affected areas.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone, 328 people perished and dozens were left injured, while Gilgit Baltistan (GB) recorded 12 deaths and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) 11 fatalities.
Authorities fear that the toll may rise further as search operations continue in severely impacted areas as severe floods and landslides in districts including Buner, Swat, Mansehra, Bajaur, and Batagram have destroyed homes, shops, and infrastructure.
Noting that Buner’s death toll had reached 184, the KP’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said that an amount of Rs500 million has been released for the flood-affected districts.
Out of this, Rs15 million have been allocated for Buner, and Rs10 million for Bajaur, Battagram and Mansehra each, the PDMA added. All of these districts, including Swat, have been declared disaster-hit areas by the KP government.
“Heavy rainfall, landslides in several areas, and washed-out roads are causing significant challenges in delivering aid, particularly in transporting heavy machinery and ambulances,” Bilal Ahmed Faizi, spokesman for KP’s Rescue agency, told AFP.
‘Due to raod closures in most areas, rescue workers are trave;;ing on foot to conduct operations in remote regions, he added.
“They are trying to evacuate survivors, but very few people are relocating due to the deaths of their relatives or loved ones being trapped in the debris,” Faizi remarked.
The provincial government has activated a nationwide 911 helpline for flood victims under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directives. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned that intermittent rains are expected to continue until August 21, keeping flood risks high.
