Peshawar/ Skardu/Muzaffarabad: More than 250 people have lost their lives, with dozens more injured, as cloudbursts and relentless downpours triggered flash floods and landslides across northern Pakistan, provincial and rescue officials said.
Over 200 deaths have been reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 12 in Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and 19 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), with the toll expected to rise as the situation remains volatile.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said that 28 people have been injured nationwide, while 116 houses have been damaged — 34 partially and 14 fully in KP, 14 partially and three fully in GB, and 23 partially and 28 fully in AJK.
Apart from several homes being swept away in the devastation, communications in multiple areas have been cut off. Officials reported that mobile phone towers were damaged, leaving flood-hit regions isolated.
A KP government helicopter carrying relief supplies to Bajaur’s Salarzai area crashed in bad weather over Mohmand district, killing all five on board, said Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s spokesperson, Faraz Mughal.
Another helicopter is conducting rescue operations in Buner.
DNA samples of the victims have been sent to Lahore for testing, with results expected in 24 hours. Funeral prayers will be held today.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the NDMA to conduct comprehensive relief operations in flood-affected areas of AJK and KP.
Electricity supply in Swat has been crippled after floodwaters entered the 132KV grid station, suspending power on 41 feeders, according to the Peshawar Electricity Supply Company (PESCO).
Sixteen poles supplying Malam Jabba were washed away, while numerous other poles and transformers were damaged across the district.
KP CM Gandapur directed that emergency teams be dispatched immediately to affected areas.
He announced that a day of mourning will be observed today..
“The national flag will fly at half-mast across the province, and the martyrs will be laid to rest with full state honours,” the statement from his office said.
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