Pakistan floods: hundreds killed in flash floods and landslides
Heavy monsoon rains triggered flash floods and landslides in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, killing over 300 and leaving villages in ruins.
Nestled in the green mountains of Pakistan’s north, Bishnoi was transformed from a peaceful riverside village to a scene of devastation when torrential rains swept through on 15 August.
Locals say a sudden surge of water and boulders crashed into homes, burying buildings and leaving heavy debris scattered across the area. Without heavy equipment, rescue teams and villagers used hand tools to search for survivors under the rubble.
A village destroyed overnight
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, at least 314 people have died and 156 injured across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since the flash floods began. Buner district, home to Bishnoi, has recorded 217 fatalities alone. Many victims were caught in homes preparing for weddings when the flood struck, and roughly half of the 80 to 90 households in the village were completely destroyed.
Monsoon season toll
Between June and September, monsoon rains account for about 75% of South Asia’s annual rainfall, often triggering floods and landslides. This year’s monsoon has already claimed over 650 lives in the region; in Pakistan, the National Disaster Management Agency reports more than 500 dead and 700 injured so far.
Climate change is accelerating glacier melt in the north, loosening soil and rock that contribute to landslides. Authorities warn heavy rainfall will continue into 21 August, and several areas remain declared disaster zones.
Near Swat Valley, a school principal evacuated 900 students just before floodwaters destroyed half the building. His swift action was credited with saving hundreds of lives, while others were less fortunate; many families report missing loved ones or mourning relatives lost in the floods.
Ongoing relief and recovery
On the roads to Buner’s Pir Baba Bazaar, flattened crops, uprooted trees and mud-caked vehicles testify to the floods’ force. Local and military teams have set up medical camps and distributed relief supplies, but many remote areas still await aid.
Villagers continue to search for the missing, with many homes reduced to foundations and families waiting anxiously for news. Two survivors found disoriented among the wreckage illustrate the human toll of the disaster.
Monsoon-triggered floods and landslides have devastated northern Pakistan, leaving hundreds dead and entire communities shattered.
This topic was reported by BBC.
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