PESHAWAR: At least five people, including four children, lost their lives while five others were injured in various rain-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) over the last 24 hours, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed on Friday.
The fresh fatalities come as the province continues to grapple with the aftermath of devastating floods triggered by the ongoing monsoon season. Earlier this month, catastrophic flooding had already left more than 400 people dead in KP alone.
According to the PDMA’s daily situation report, two children died in separate incidents in Peshawar. One child was swept away by a flash flood, while a three-month-old infant was killed when the roof of his home collapsed. At least five others sustained injuries in different roof and wall collapse incidents reported from across the province.
In upper South Waziristan, three members of the same family — two children and a woman — were buried under debris when their house caved in due to heavy rain. Officials said rescue teams faced challenges reaching the area because of damaged roads and continued downpours.
The PDMA said at least six houses were affected in the past 24 hours, three of which were completely destroyed. “District administrations have been directed to step up relief efforts and provide timely assistance to affected families,” a spokesperson said. The authority’s Emergency Operation Centre remains active, and residents have been urged to contact its 1700 helpline in case of emergency.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) recorded intense showers across multiple districts. Cherat received the heaviest rainfall at 165 millimetres, followed by Kakul with 54mm, Peshawar with 41mm, Balakot with 14mm, Malam Jabba with 10mm, Bannu with 5mm and Dera Ismail Khan with 4mm. The downpour also swelled streams and nullahs around the provincial capital, submerging low-lying neighbourhoods along Warsak Road, Safia Town, Regi Model Town and Nasir Bagh.
The PDMA’s extended damage assessment since August 15 highlights the scale of destruction. In just over two weeks, 411 people have died and 255 have been injured in rain and flood-related incidents. The dead include 131 men, 168 women and 112 children, while the injured comprise 124 men, 94 women and 37 children.
The rains have also destroyed 700 houses and partially damaged another 2,880 across the province. Educational institutions have been hit hard, with 301 schools damaged — 18 completely and 283 partially. In addition, 37 other public and private buildings sustained damage, while more than 5,400 heads of livestock were lost, compounding the hardships of already vulnerable families.
District-wise data shows Buner has borne the heaviest losses, recording 237 deaths. It is followed by Swabi with 42 deaths, Shangla with 36, Mansehra with 25, Bajaur with 22 and Swat with 20.
At the national level, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that since June 25, when the current monsoon season began, at least 853 people have been killed and more than 1,000 injured in rain-related incidents and flash floods across Pakistan. The agency has warned that further downpours could worsen the situation in flood-prone districts in the coming days.
Authorities in KP have called on residents living near rivers, streams and vulnerable slopes to remain vigilant, stressing that the risk of further flooding and landslides remains high as monsoon activity continues.
