News Desk: Unprecedented monsoon downpours have triggered catastrophic flash floods across Pakistan, leaving more than 150 people dead and hundreds missing in the past 24 hours. Authorities have declared a national emergency as swollen rivers, landslides, and washed-out roads isolate entire communities.
The worst devastation has been reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where at least 157 people perished in Buner district alone. Bajaur, Battagram, and Mansehra have also been ravaged, with homes swept away and bridges collapsing under the force of floodwaters. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), over 700 people are injured and more than 200 remain unaccounted for.
Rescue and relief operations are being conducted by the military, NDMA teams, and local volunteers, but efforts are severely hampered by continuous rainfall and damaged infrastructure. In a tragic incident, a provincial government helicopter delivering relief supplies crashed due to poor visibility, killing all five crew members.
Officials warn that the death toll may rise further as many remote areas remain inaccessible. Tens of thousands have been displaced, taking shelter in schools, mosques, and makeshift camps. Essential services such as electricity, drinking water, and healthcare have been disrupted across the affected regions.
Meteorologists attribute the severity of this year’s monsoon to unusual weather patterns linked to climate change. A recent analysis by the World Weather Attribution network found that Pakistan’s summer rainfall was 10–15% heavier than average due to global warming.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appealed for international assistance, urging swift support for food, medicine, and emergency shelter. Humanitarian agencies, including the United Nations and Red Crescent, are mobilising resources to aid the victims.
Authorities have advised residents in flood-prone areas to remain on high alert, adhere to evacuation orders, and avoid crossing rivers or streams. With further rainfall forecast in the coming days, Pakistan faces the grim challenge of managing one of its deadliest monsoon disasters in recent years.
