Cloudburst, Flash Floods in KP Leaves 43 Dead, Several Missing

Peshawar – At least 43 people have been killed and 14 injured in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past 24 hours due to cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). Several others remain missing.

PDMA’s report stated that the dead include 33 men, 2 women, and 8 children. Among the injured are 11 men, 2 women, and one child. Heavy rains and flooding have partially damaged 25 houses and completely destroyed 5.

The incidents occurred in Bajaur, Battagram, Torghar, Mansehra, Swat, Buner, and Shangla districts. Bajaur and Battagram have suffered the most losses, with rescue operations still underway.

Battagram

In the border village of Neel Band between Battagram and Mansehra, a cloudburst struck at around 3 a.m. Thursday night, sweeping away three to four houses.

Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Saleem Khan confirmed that fatalities in the district have risen to 15. Local residents, Rescue 1122 personnel, revenue staff, and Alkhidmat Foundation volunteers are participating in ongoing rescue operations.

Earlier, AC Saleem Khan told Dawn.com that 10 bodies — including 6 men, 2 women, and a girl — had been recovered from Malikhal Gali.

Local resident Noor Qadeem Shah reported that villagers retrieved 9 bodies from Doodhpati and Thohar areas, with around 20 people still missing. He said small pedestrian wooden bridges had been washed away, 10–15 livestock killed, and access roads and power-generating turbines damaged.

Saleem Khan, however, denied reports that connecting bridges, roads, or local turbines had been destroyed, adding that there is moderate flooding in the river from Malikhal Gali to Battagram Nandiari Nala.

At Shamlay Mandrawali, 10 bodies have so far been recovered from the stream. Search efforts continue with Rescue 1122 teams, police, and local volunteers on site. Intermittent rainfall and an almost total shutdown of mobile networks are hampering communication and relief work.

Bajaur

In Salarzai tehsil’s Jabarai area, a cloudburst triggered heavy rain and a landslide, sending massive boulders crashing onto 7 houses and burying them. Ten people were killed, and several others remain missing.

Water levels in the area have reached dangerous levels, blocking all access routes for rescue teams. Locals are attempting rescues on their own while excavators are being transported to reach the affected village.

Following instructions from Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, the Deputy Commissioner and other officials have arrived at the site. The provincial government has also dispatched a helicopter.

The CM directed that all available resources be used in rescue and relief efforts, with the Commissioner of Malakand and DC Bajaur supervising operations. He also ordered administrations in all districts, particularly Dir and Swat, to remain on high alert given the ongoing rains.

Mansehra

In Basyan, a vehicle carrying six people was swept away by a flash flood. Rescue 1122 divers saved three passengers, but two men — identified as 30-year-old Mir and 25-year-old Asad — died, and one person was injured.

In Dheri Haleem village, within the jurisdiction of Battal Police Station, a landslide destroyed 15 houses, burying 35 people under debris.

Lower Dir

In the Maidān Suri Pao area, a house roof collapsed, trapping several people, including women and children. Despite heavy rain, floods, and poor road conditions, Rescue 1122 teams trekked three hours on foot to reach the site.

Seven people were pulled from the debris — five dead and two injured.

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