Islamabad: At least 137 people lost their lives while 14 others sustained injuries in rain-related incidents in various districts of Pakistan's northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province, Gilgit, and Kashmir region, authorities reported on Friday. The severe weather conditions have led to significant loss of life and property across these regions, prompting urgent rescue and relief efforts.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the administrative chief of the district, Deputy Commissioner Kashif Qayum Khan, confirmed that 78 people had lost their lives while several others are missing in Buner district of KPK. The KPK government announced that a provincial government rescue helicopter had reached the district to evacuate people to safer areas.
In Bajaur tribal district of KPK, at least 18 people were killed and eight others were injured due to recent flash floods. The floods were triggered by a cloudburst in Salarzai tehsil's Jabrarai village. In Battagram district, 15 people, including two women and a child, were killed, and 16 others went missing after torrential rains and flash floods devastated the Neel Band area.
Additional casualties were reported in other districts. Five people were killed and four were injured in Lower Dir district, four deaths occurred in Swat district, and one casualty and two injuries were recorded in Shangla district. The injured were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
A coordinated search and rescue operation, supervised by local authorities, has successfully rescued over 30 people from various districts in the province. Efforts are ongoing to locate and assist those still in danger.
In the Kashmir region, a massive landslide in Sarli Sacha village of Muzaffarabad district resulted in the deaths of six family members. Torrential rains also claimed the lives of two women in the Bagh and Sudhnoti districts.
Northern Gilgit-Baltistan region witnessed at least eight fatalities, with two others reported missing in the Ghizer district. The catastrophic weather conditions have overwhelmed local resources and prompted national attention.
Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has directed relevant authorities to intensify the rescue operations in Battagram district. In a statement, he expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and offered prayers for the victims. The National Disaster Management Authority reported that since June 26, flash floods and torrential rains across Pakistan have resulted in the deaths of 325 people, including 142 children, and injuries to 743 others.