Pakistan is reeling under the worst floods in recent years as at least 323 people have lost their lives and 156 others are injured across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Torrential rains and flash floods have wreaked havoc, leaving behind collapsed homes, washed-away roads, and devastated families.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the deceased include 273 men, 29 women and 21 children. Among the injured are 123 men, 23 women and 10 children. The destruction is staggering: 336 houses have been damaged, of which 106 are completely destroyed and 230 partially damaged.
The district of Buner has suffered the highest toll with 209 deaths, while other badly-hit areas include Swat, Bajaur, Torghar, Mansehra, Shangla, and Battagram.
The Met Office has issued chilling warnings: three more monsoon spells are on the way, with rainfall intensity expected to increase by 50%. Northern regions and the Potohar plateau are most at risk, with forecasts of cloudbursts in Rawalpindi, Murree, Jhelum, Chakwal, and Attock, alongside threats of urban flooding in Lahore and other major cities. Heavy downpours are predicted between 17 and 19 August, continuing intermittently until 21 August.
In response, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has dispatched 89 trucks of relief goods, including tents, mattresses, bedding, kitchen kits, tarpaulins, mats, mosquito nets, and generators. The PDMA has allocated Rs800 million in relief funds to affected districts, with an additional Rs500 million reserved exclusively for Buner.
🌍 A Global Wave of Sympathy
The human tragedy has resonated far beyond Pakistan’s borders, with world leaders stepping forward to express grief and solidarity.
United Kingdom: Foreign Secretary David Lammy called Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, expressing sorrow over the massive human and material losses. He assured the UK’s solidarity and voiced hope for fruitful outcomes from Dar’s upcoming London visit.
United Arab Emirates: President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent messages of condolence to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Zardari, vowing that the UAE stands firmly with Pakistan in this crisis.
Saudi Arabia: The Foreign Ministry expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in northern Pakistan, offering prayers and solidarity with the Pakistani people.
Iran: President Ebrahim Raisi expressed grief over the tragedy and offered full assistance in relief operations, reaffirming Iran’s unwavering support.
Kuwait: Foreign Minister Abdullah Al Yahya held a telephonic conversation with Ishaq Dar, pledging Kuwait’s readiness to provide all possible aid.
Russia: President Vladimir Putin, in a letter to President Asif Zardari, expressed condolences and sorrow over the tragic loss of lives, extending Russia’s sympathy and solidarity.
💔 A Nation in Mourning, A World in Support
As the death toll rises and fresh warnings loom, Pakistan faces an uphill battle against nature’s fury. Yet amid the devastation, the flood tragedy has sparked a rare moment of global unity — where grief, prayers, and pledges of support are pouring in from every corner of the world.
For millions of Pakistanis braving this disaster, the road ahead is uncertain, but the outpouring of international solidarity offers a glimmer of hope in their darkest hour.
–