Heavy floods sweeping through northern Pakistan cause near-fatalities approaching four hundred individuals
Torrential Rains and Flash Floods Cause Devastation in Northern Pakistan
Torrential rains and flash floods have wreaked havoc across northern Pakistan since mid-June, causing a tragic humanitarian crisis. As of August 26, over 700 people have been killed, with at least 400 deaths reported in the last five days alone.
The worst-hit regions include Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where districts like Buner, Shangla, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Charsadda, Malakand, Lower Dir, and Torghar have been severely impacted. The Punjab Province and Sindh have also reported fatalities and extensive flooding.
The disaster has left a trail of destruction in its wake. Over 1,300 homes have been damaged or destroyed, with nearly 100 schools and more than 4,000 head of livestock lost. Roads have been damaged, and communities disrupted due to landslides and flash floods in mountainous areas.
Provincial governments have declared emergencies in nine districts and have deployed military and civilian rescue teams to assist stranded populations. The government and humanitarian agencies continue to conduct rescue operations and provide relief despite the ongoing rains, which are forecast to continue until early September.
In the small village of Dalori, the monsoon deluge resulted in widespread destruction. In less than 20 minutes, the village was reduced to ruins, leaving many missing and several lives lost. Rescuers are currently digging through mud and debris to search for the missing villagers.
Fazal Akbar, a resident of Dalori, described the flooding as "terrifying." Umar Islam, a 31-year-old laborer, lost his father during the monsoon deluge on Monday. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported 356 deaths in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province since Thursday evening.
The situation remains critical, with ongoing rescue efforts amid continuous heavy rains and flash floods, particularly impacting northern Pakistan's mountainous regions. The monsoon deluge has triggered landslides and caused widespread destruction, leading to a humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold.
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