More than 300 people have been confirmed dead after two days of relentless monsoon rains triggered floods, landslides, and building collapses across northwest Pakistan, officials said on Saturday.
Authorities reported that 307 people had lost their lives in the mountainous province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with many more missing. Rescue operations were continuing across hard-hit districts as emergency funds were released and efforts made to clear blocked roads. Officials warned that heavy downpours were likely to continue until August 21, raising fears of further devastation.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said the combination of cloudbursts, flash floods, lightning strikes, and landslides has created the deadliest spell of this year’s monsoon season. Neighboring countries including India and Nepal have also been battered by severe rains and flooding in recent days.
Among the worst-affected areas is Buner district, located roughly three-and-a-half hours north of Islamabad. Local authorities confirmed 184 deaths there alone, along with widespread damage to homes, crops, and orchards. Torrents of water and mud swept away entire households, while fallen trees and surging floodwaters left many communities cut off. At least 93 bodies have been recovered in Buner so far, officials said.
In Shangla district, 34 people were killed after the roof of a building collapsed under the pressure of continuous rain, according to provincial Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah. He said local officials have been dispatched to supervise rescue and relief work, while medical camps are being set up for survivors. Families who lost their homes are being provided with cooked meals and temporary shelters, he added. Heavy machinery is being deployed to reopen major roads and restore access to isolated communities.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said both civilian and military teams were taking part in the relief efforts. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened an emergency meeting on Friday to review the situation and coordinate response measures.
“Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones, to those who are injured, and many whose homes and livelihoods have been swept away,” Dar said in a statement.
Rescue operations have also been marked by tragedy. On Friday, a military helicopter crashed while attempting to reach flood-hit areas in Bajaur district, killing all five crew members on board. Officials said the crash was caused by bad weather.
With more rain forecast in the coming days, authorities have declared several districts disaster zones. Relief agencies warn the death toll could rise further as rescuers continue to search remote areas cut off by landslides and floodwaters.
