Islamabad: The death toll from relentless monsoon rains and flash floods across northern Pakistan has surged to at least 321 within the past 48 hours, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed.
According to officials, the hardest-hit region is Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where 307 people have lost their lives. Nine fatalities were reported in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, while five more were confirmed in Gilgit-Baltistan. At least 21 others have been injured.
The NDMA said most victims died when flash floods swept through villages or as houses collapsed under the heavy rains. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued a fresh alert, warning of further downpours in the north-west and urging residents to take precautionary measures.
In response, the provincial government has declared several mountainous districts, including Buner, Bajaur, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra and Battagram, as disaster-hit areas.
Rescue operations, however, remain extremely challenging. The provincial rescue agency said around 2,000 workers are on the ground in nine districts, working to recover bodies, evacuate survivors, and deliver aid.
Bilal Ahmed Faizi, spokesperson for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rescue agency remarked that, “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 Faiz added that in many cases, rescue teams are forced to travel on foot to reach cut-off areas. Despite ongoing efforts, officials say many residents are refusing to evacuate, choosing instead to stay near relatives or loved ones still trapped in the debris.
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