BUNER: The floods that hit Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) from August 15 to 17 have caused widespread devastation, with at least 314 people confirmed dead and 156 others injured, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
Buner district has borne the brunt of the disaster, with 209 fatalities reported. Other affected districts include Shangla (36 deaths), Bajaur (21), Mansehra (24), Swat (16), Battagram (3), and Lower Dir (5). Fortunately, no deaths have been reported from Torghar and Upper Dir.
The destruction has extended to infrastructure as well, with 159 homes either fully or partially damaged across Lower Dir and Shangla. Additionally, 57 schools and 22 other facilities have been impacted in various districts. The floods also led to the loss of 157 cattle.
Rescue operations are facing significant challenges due to heavy rainfall, landslides, and washed-out roads. Bilal Ahmed Faizi, a spokesperson for K-P’s rescue agency, emphasized that these conditions are severely hindering efforts to transport heavy machinery and ambulances. In some regions, rescue workers are required to walk long distances to reach the affected areas. Despite the ongoing efforts, few survivors have been willing to relocate due to the loss of loved ones trapped in the debris.
Kashif Qayum Khan, the deputy commissioner of Buner, stated that rescuers are struggling to find alternative ways to reach remote areas, and many people may still be trapped under rubble. Nearly 2,000 rescue personnel have been deployed, but officials fear that victims remain trapped, especially in rural villages.
Despite the challenges, rescue and relief operations are ongoing, with authorities providing medical aid, food, and temporary shelter to those in need.
