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Rescue operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) entered their third day as flash floods killed 314 people and injured 156, the provincial disaster management authority (PDMA) confirmed in its latest report.
The KP government declared an emergency after torrential rains displaced families, destroyed homes, and caused large-scale devastation across Buner, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, and Bajaur. Authorities warned that many victims may still be trapped beneath rubble.
Buner district emerged as the worst affected, reporting 209 deaths and 120 injuries, while Shangla confirmed 36 deaths and 21 injuries. Mansehra recorded 24 fatalities, Bajaur 21, and Swat 16.
Lower Dir witnessed five deaths from thunder strikes and roof collapses, while Battagram reported three deaths from lightning.
According to PDMA, 159 houses and 57 schools have been damaged, with 62 houses completely destroyed. Officials said heavy rainfall has hindered efforts to reopen key causeways, particularly in Gadezai, while machinery and rescue workers remain deployed in affected areas.
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Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmed Faizi told media officials that around 2,000 workers are engaged in search and relief efforts across nine districts. “The chances of survival for those buried under debris are very slim,” he warned.
Over 850 rescued in Buner
In Buner alone, more than 850 people were rescued, while 181 bodies were recovered from Gaddizi, Bishoni, Malikpur, Balokhan and nearby villages.
In Daggar, 30 deaths were confirmed while 202 residents were shifted to safer places. Rescue teams from Swabi and Peshawar have joined local operations, working around the clock despite flooded roads and blocked passages.
Meanwhile, the Punjab PDMA ordered a restriction on tourists entering Murree and other disaster-prone regions due to heavy monsoon activity. Authorities have advised strict enforcement under Section 144 where necessary, along with public safety campaigns across media platforms.
With continued heavy rains, officials fear the death toll may rise as recovery efforts struggle against worsening weather conditions.
