August 16, 2025
By Kaleem Ullah
LAHORE
Many districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have been severely hit by flash floods, which have caused widespread destruction to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, buildings, and electricity installations, while also claiming the lives of more than 200 people.
According to the report issued by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the deceased include 279 men, 15 women, and 13 children, while the injured comprise 17 men, 4 women, and 2 children.
The report further stated that “due to rains and flash floods, a total of 74 houses have been damaged so far, of which 63 were partially damaged and 11 were completely destroyed.”
These incidents of flash flooding occurred in various districts of the province, including Swat, Buner, Bajaur, Torghar, Mansehra, Shangla, and Battagram.
Asfandyar Ghani, a resident of the Baiyee area in Buner, whose village lies a few kilometers away from the worst-affected settlement of Bishunai, described the devastation. Bishunai, located in Daggar Tehsil beneath the mountains, has been completely washed away by the floods.
“A heavy rain started at 7 a.m., followed by unexpected thunderstorms, which triggered the flash flood. It came so fast that people had no chance to save themselves. Houses were being struck by huge rocks carried by the flood, sweeping them away. Ninety percent of the village has been completely destroyed,” he told Voicepk.
Ghani added, “People from nearby villages are digging graves for the deceased. Announcements were made through mosque loudspeakers, calling on women from the village to come forward for performing ghusl (ritual washing) of the deceased women, and to bring kafan (burial shrouds). Everyone is helping in whatever way they can during this difficult time.”
According to the 2017 census report published by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Bishunai village had a population of 3,045, including 1,420 men and 1,625 women.
Local journalist Ikram Yousafzai, who visited the affected village, told Voicepk, “The situation is extremely dire. Not a single house has been spared, and most families have lost their loved ones. Entire families of 30 to 40 people have been wiped out. NGOs, welfare organizations, the army, and government rescue teams, along with locals, are still searching for survivors and dead bodies buried under the rubble and rocks.”
Rescue efforts have been hampered by the destruction of roads, preventing heavy machinery from reaching the area. The district administration has also barred private vehicles from entering flood-hit regions, stating:
“The entry of private vehicles into flood-affected areas is prohibited. Vehicles will be turned back before reaching the affected zones, as they hinder rescue operations. However, those wishing to help the victims may proceed on foot.”
According to PDMA, the death toll in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to rains and flash floods has now risen to 308. Meanwhile, the Relief, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Department has declared an emergency in the affected districts from August 15 to August 31.
Furthermore, on the directives of the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, relief funds worth 500 million rupees have been released for the affected districts, with 150 million rupees allocated for Buner alone.