Staff Correspondent
The death toll from devastating floods and landslides in Pakistan has climbed to 200, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province’s Buner, Bajaur, and Battagram districts being the worst affected. Torrential rains since Thursday have triggered catastrophic landslides, burying entire communities under debris. In Buner district alone, 157 bodies have been recovered—including 120 in Gadizai tehsil and 22 members of a single family in Chagharzai area.
Helicopter Crash Hinders Relief Efforts
Disaster management authorities report 189 fatalities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within 24 hours (163 men, 14 women, 12 children). Rescue operations suffered a major setback when a relief helicopter crashed, killing five including two pilots. In Pakistan-administered Kashmir, eight perished in landslides while 500 tourists remain stranded in Neelum and Jhelum valleys. The complete submersion of Al Medina Hotel and severed communication lines have complicated rescue missions in Higukand and Pir Baba areas.
PM Declares Emergency as Army Deploys
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has convened emergency high-level meetings, preparing to declare Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a “calamity-hit area.” Despite joint operations by National Disaster Management Authority and military personnel, the Meteorological Department warns of continued heavy rainfall until August 21 in northwestern regions, potentially escalating casualties. Over 3,000 displaced survivors await evacuation as floodwaters inundate 30+ villages.