ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered immediate dispatch of relief supplies by truck to flood-hit areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). He gave the order during an emergency meeting to assess the situation.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chairman briefed the Prime Minister on rescue and relief efforts. He warned that monsoon rains have triggered flash floods, glacial lake bursts, and ongoing devastation in northern regions. The NDMA is coordinating closely with the provincial government and PDMA.
The PM directed full deployment of tents, food, medicine, and other supplies. He demanded swift evacuation of stranded locals and tourists to safe zones.
Widespread Devastation Across Northern Pakistan
Flash floods and landslides have ravaged KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir. Death tolls exceed 200, with many still missing. Buner saw the worst loss—over 150 lives lost, entire villages swept away, and infrastructure destroyed. Authorities declared a state of emergency there.
Bajaur suffered similarly. A KP government helicopter crashed during relief efforts, killing all five onboard.
District-By-District Impact
Buner: 157 fatalities confirmed. Other districts (Bajaur, Mansehra, Battagram, Swat): Significant casualties and damage. Rescue helicopter crash: Five crew killed en route to Bajaur.
Evacuations: 1,300 tourists rescued from Mansehra’s Siran Valley.
Federal Response and Local Support
During a visit to Gilgit on August 4, PM Shehbaz personally distributed aid to flood victims. The region saw losses exceeding Rs 20 billion.
The PM also pressed for a functioning early-warning system due to the growing threats of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in KP and GB.
Climate-Driven Disasters Mount
These catastrophic floods follow earlier monsoon-related disasters. Since June-July 2025, more than 482 people have died in floods nationwide, with over 700 injuries reported.
Flash flooding is becoming more intense and frequent, often attributed to climate change. Experts note heavier monsoon rains and increased risk of cloudbursts.
The federal government, led by PM Shehbaz Sharif, has ordered immediate relief efforts and resources for KP. NDMA has been instructed to coordinate thoroughly with provincial authorities. As rescue operations continue amid worsening weather, the scale of devastation is gripping—a stark reminder of the growing climate crisis.