Over 320 dead as rescue operations continue across northern Pakistan

• Bajaur reports highest death toll with 184 fatalities.
• Around 2,000 rescuers engaged in recovering bodies.
• As many as 3,817 people affected by floods: KP govt.
  

PESHAWAR/SWAT: More than 320 people 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, 321 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.

The provincial rescue agency told AFP that around 2,000 rescue workers were engaged in recovering bodies from the debris and carrying out relief operations in nine affected districts.

"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 road closures in most areas, rescue workers are travelling 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.

Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir, as per the security sources, has also issued special instructions for the rehabilitation of people affected by the recent floods in the province.

The army has allocated its one-day ration — amounting to over 600 tonnes — for aid to those impacted by the disaster.

Extra military contingents are being deployed to further support the relief operations in the worst-hit areas.

Field Marshal Munir has also issued special instructions to the Corps of Engineers to expedite the repair of damaged bridges. He further directed that temporary bridges should be installed wherever necessary to restore vital connectivity for affected communities.

3,817 people affected

Addressing the dire situation in the province, KP CM's Adviser on Information, Barrister Saif said that a total of 11 districts have been affected from cloudbursts and floods in KP.

"The total number of people affected by the floods is 3,817," Saif said in a statement today.

Noting that as many as 32 people were still missing for whom a search was underway, the KP government spokesperson said that 545 rescuers and 90 vehicles and boats were taking part in the rescue and relief operations.

Meanwhile, KP's Health Adviser Ihtisham Ali has departed for Buner along with a consignment of medicines, ambulances and medical staff.

"I will be present on the ground myself, will provide all possible help to the victims," Ali said.

Day of mourning

In Swat, flash floods destroyed properties across Mingora, Manglor, Matta, and Kokarai, killing 22 people, with four others missing. Bodies were recovered from Bishbanr and Mingora, while several houses in Makhan Bagh and Shaheedabad were completely damaged. Survivors are engaged in cleaning and salvaging their homes and businesses.

Manshera witnessed 20 deaths due to floods and landslides. Relief and rescue operations in Buner, Bajaur, Manshera, and Battagram are ongoing, with over 300 people rescued by Pakistan Army teams, who are assisting affected communities and relocating residents to safer areas.

Abbottabad experienced severe flooding in the Mangal Nadi river due to torrential rains. The connecting bridge to the surrounding villages in Mangal was swept away, cutting off ground access, though no casualties were reported. Residents demanded the immediate restoration of the bridge by local authorities.

A day of mourning was observed across KP following the crash of a government relief helicopter in Mohmand district, which killed five personnel, including two pilots, while returning from flood-affected districts. 

Initial reports indicate the accident was caused by poor weather and dense fog, although rainfall was not occurring at the crash site. DNA samples of the victims have been sent to Lahore for analysis.

Meanwhile, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur convened a special meeting to review relief operations. The chief secretary ordered immediate assessment of damage to roads, bridges, and infrastructure, the establishment of medical camps, and the release of funds from C&W for road restoration.

Federal officials also expressed grief over the calamity. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said the government is deploying all resources, including federal, provincial agencies, armed forces, and local authorities, for rescue and relief. He postponed a community meeting with British-Pakistanis to focus on aid efforts.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also expressed sorrow over the lives lost, urging citizens, particularly youth, to participate actively in relief activities.

GB, AJK flood situation

Apart from KP, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit Baltistan regions have also been hit hard by rain, floods and landslides — killing at least 11 people in the former, whereas the latter's death tally stands at 12 so far.

According to the AJK's State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), the deceased include five children, three men and three women.

The floods, the authority added, also damaged 417 houses of which 104 have been completely destroyed.

Warning that more showers were expected from Sunday to Tuesday, the SDMA said that the rescue operation has been completed in Neelum Valley, Jhelum and Bagh district and most of the stranded tourists have been shifted to lower areas.

"Neelum Highway has been restored for all types of traffic," it added.

In GB, severe flooding damaged roads, bridges, and power infrastructure. In Skardu, the Baghicha RCC bridge on the GB Highway was swept away, while landslides blocked multiple points along the route.

In Ghanche, the Sermo bridge was also washed away, and three connecting bridges in the Shigar district collapsed. The Satpara power house remained out of service for a second consecutive day.

In GB, the Naltar Expressway was partially destroyed by floodwaters, leaving stranded tourists. Three local power plants were shut down, resulting in a disruption to the city's electricity supply. Several houses in Jaglot Guro's low-lying areas were submerged.

In AJK, rainfall has subsided in the northern, upper, and central districts. Rescue operations in flood-affected areas of Neelum Valley are complete, with work ongoing to restore roads and bridges.

The Sharea Neelum road is now open to traffic. In Jagraan, the collapse of the central bridge left a population of 21,000 isolated. Six bodies were recovered from landslides in Seri Sacha and Jhaggian Nala. 

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah called the GB governor to express condolences and offered full support for the affected communities.

Road and infrastructure updates

Across KP and GB, roads and bridges damaged by rainfall and landslides are being repaired.

Traffic has resumed on many highways, including Mansehra-Naran-Jhal Khund, and flood-damaged bridges are being repaired.

The National Highway Authority (NHA) and federal communications ministry have deployed additional machinery and personnel from Punjab and Sindh to support repair work.

The federal minister for communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, and secretaries in GB and KP are overseeing restoration, including the removal of landslides along Naran, Kaghan, and Babusar top.

— With additional input from AFP