Pakistan Floods Leave Over 220 Dead

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BUNER, Pakistan, Torrential rains and flash floods have devastated communities in northern Pakistan, leaving at least 220 people dead and dozens more missing, officials confirmed on Saturday.
Rescue teams spent the night combing through debris in Buner, a mountainous district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where homes were flattened by landslides and raging waters. According to Mohammad Suhail, a spokesperson for the provincial emergency services, 63 additional bodies were recovered overnight. “Our teams are still searching for survivors and bodies under the rubble,” he said.

The flooding was triggered by intense cloudbursts on Friday that swept through valleys and villages. Many residents were caught off guard as the fast-moving waters destroyed homes, farmland, and local infrastructure. Emergency authorities said dozens of houses were washed away entirely, leaving families homeless and communities isolated.

The scale of the disaster has extended beyond Buner. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that at least 351 people have died in rain-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region this week. Officials said the death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

Access remains a major challenge. Damaged roads and washed-out bridges have delayed relief efforts, with helicopters being deployed to airlift supplies to stranded communities. In several districts, mobile networks are down, making communication with survivors and rescue teams difficult.

Local hospitals are struggling to treat the injured as floodwaters have disrupted transport routes. Medical workers reported shortages of essential supplies, and emergency authorities stated that health risks increase in temporary shelters where displaced families are staying.

Pakistan’s military has been mobilised to assist with the emergency response. Army engineers are working to restore critical infrastructure, while soldiers are helping distribute food, clean water, and tents. Officials have confirmed that international and local relief organisations are coordinating additional resources to support the response.

Flooding is a recurring threat in Pakistan, where seasonal monsoon rains frequently cause destruction. However, officials noted that this year’s rains have been particularly severe in northern districts. In recent years, Pakistan has faced devastating floods that displaced millions and caused widespread damage to agriculture and the economy.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences to the victims’ families and pledged government support for recovery efforts. “The nation stands with those affected in this difficult time,” he said in a statement. Authorities have announced compensation for those who lost relatives or property, although the distribution of aid remains a logistical challenge in isolated mountain villages.

As search and rescue operations continue, officials are urging residents in flood-prone areas to move to safer ground. Emergency alerts have been issued in multiple districts, warning of further rainfall in the coming days.

For residents in Buner and other affected regions, rebuilding will require significant assistance. With homes destroyed and livelihoods lost, officials have said recovery efforts will depend on sustained support as the waters recede.