How Many Lives Were Lost Due to Floods and Landslides in Pakistan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 33 lives lost and 25 missing due to floods and landslides.
- Rescue operations face challenging conditions.
- Affected areas include Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and PoGB.
- Ongoing monsoon season has led to significant casualties across the nation.
- Community efforts are vital for rescue and relief operations.
Islamabad, Aug 15 (NationPress) Tragically, a minimum of 33 individuals have lost their lives and 25 more are unaccounted for after intense rainfall and a sudden cloudburst triggered devastating floods and landslides across multiple districts in northwestern Pakistan, officials reported on Friday through local media.
Rescue teams are navigating challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions as the calamity struck various areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Floodwaters surged through communities, obliterating homes and severing access routes. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rescue 1122 reported that 16 fatalities occurred, with three individuals injured and seven still missing, according to the esteemed daily, The Express Tribune.
Local residents assisted rescue teams in locating the deceased and the injured from the rubble and water. Search operations are underway, deploying medical, diving, and specialized teams to the scene, while medical personnel administered first aid on-site before transporting the injured to nearby hospitals. Despite the challenges posed by landslides and damaged infrastructure, officials confirmed that relief efforts are ongoing.
A family of five tragically perished in the Dir Lower district's Sori Paw area when their home succumbed to the heavy rain. Additionally, four others sustained injuries in this incident.
Furthermore, 10 individuals were reported dead and 18 are missing after floodwaters swept away numerous houses in the Battagram district. In another incident, two people were killed and one was injured when a vehicle was engulfed by floodwaters in Mansehra’s Basiyaan region. Authorities also noted widespread destruction of homes in Bajaur, causing some residents to evacuate.
Landslides were reported in other areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB). At least 10 lives were lost due to landslides and flash floods instigated by heavy monsoon rains in PoGB, as reported by Geo News. Local authorities confirmed that three individuals, including a woman, died and three others remain missing in the Khalthi valley of the Ghizer district, where more than six houses were buried under debris.
A brother and sister were swept away in the floodwaters in Diamer’s Bonar area, while a child suffered injuries from a landslide on the Babusar road. Travel disruptions were noted on the Baltistan and Sadpara roads, with severe destruction reported in Thor due to landslides. Floods also compromised a bridge on the Karakoram Highway in Kohistan, as stated by Geo News.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), a total of 343 people have died, and over 740 have been injured nationwide since the onset of the monsoon season on June 26. The eastern Punjab province has been the hardest hit, suffering 164 fatalities and more than 582 injuries.