Pakistan monsoon death toll rises to over 320 in 48 hours
8/16/2025 10:07:00 AM
The death toll from heavy monsoon rains that triggered flash floods across northern Pakistan has risen to at least 320 in the last 48 hours, disaster agencies said Saturday.
Most of the deaths, 307, were recorded in mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to the National Disaster Management Authority. Nine more were killed in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and five died in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region. Most fatalities were caused by flash floods and collapsing houses, while 21 others were injured.
The meteorological department has issued a heavy rain alert for the northwest, urging people to take “precautionary measures.” The provincial government declared Buner, Bajaur, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, and Battagram disaster-hit districts.
Around 2,000 rescue workers are engaged in recovering bodies and carrying out relief operations in nine affected districts, the provincial rescue agency told AFP. Bilal Ahmed Faizi, spokesman for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Rescue Agency, said heavy rainfall, landslides, and washed-out roads are complicating aid delivery, particularly for transporting machinery and ambulances.
“Due to road closures in most areas, rescue workers are traveling on foot to conduct operations in remote regions,” he said. “They are trying to evacuate survivors, but very few people are relocating due to the deaths of their relatives or loved ones being trapped in the debris.”
Most of the deaths, 307, were recorded in mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to the National Disaster Management Authority. Nine more were killed in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and five died in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region. Most fatalities were caused by flash floods and collapsing houses, while 21 others were injured.
The meteorological department has issued a heavy rain alert for the northwest, urging people to take “precautionary measures.” The provincial government declared Buner, Bajaur, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, and Battagram disaster-hit districts.
Around 2,000 rescue workers are engaged in recovering bodies and carrying out relief operations in nine affected districts, the provincial rescue agency told AFP. Bilal Ahmed Faizi, spokesman for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Rescue Agency, said heavy rainfall, landslides, and washed-out roads are complicating aid delivery, particularly for transporting machinery and ambulances.
“Due to road closures in most areas, rescue workers are traveling on foot to conduct operations in remote regions,” he said. “They are trying to evacuate survivors, but very few people are relocating due to the deaths of their relatives or loved ones being trapped in the debris.”