Islamabad
Pakistan is facing one of the deadliest monsoon seasons in its history as torrential rains, flash floods, and landslides have killed at least 657 people and injured nearly 1,000 since late June, according to official data.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that among the victims were 171 children and 94 women. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) province has been the worst hit, with 390 deaths, including 288 men, 59 children, and 43 women. Punjab has lost 164 lives, most of them children, while Sindh reported 28 deaths, Balochistan 20, Gilgit-Baltistan 32, Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir 15, and Islamabad eight.
The NDMA’s National Emergency Operations Centre has issued an alert, warning of more heavy rainfall in Punjab, K-P, Balochistan, PoK, and parts of Sindh. Officials fear the death toll may rise as search operations continue in remote areas.
In K-P, Friday’s devastating cloudbursts, lightning strikes, and flash floods have killed 323 people so far, with Buner district being the epicenter where 209 lives were lost. The provincial disaster authority said 336 houses have been damaged, including 106 that were completely destroyed.
Rescue operations are ongoing, but connectivity with several remote settlements in Gilgit-Baltistan and K-P has been cut off due to landslides and flooding. Relief packages are being sent, and emergency teams are searching for missing persons.
NDMA Chairman Inam Haider urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and remain alert to weather updates. He said more relief aid would be dispatched soon to affected areas.
