Severe monsoon rains and cloudbursts have wreaked havoc across northern Pakistan, leaving at least 45 people dead, dozens injured, and several missing, with widespread destruction reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, and surrounding areas.
Bajaur: 16 Dead in Deadly Cloudburst
In Bajaur’s Salarzai area, a sudden cloudburst on the night of August 14–15 claimed at least 16 lives and injured several others. Multiple houses collapsed, and Rescue 1122 teams, assisted by locals, have so far recovered 16 bodies and rescued four injured individuals, who were shifted to hospitals for treatment. District Emergency Officer Amjad Khan is supervising ongoing search and rescue operations, with seven people still missing. The provincial government has deployed a helicopter to aid relief efforts, while Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has ordered all district administrations to remain on high alert.
Mansehra: 2 Dead as Flash Flood Sweeps Away Car
In Baisian, Mansehra, a flash flood swept away a Mehran car carrying six people. Rescue teams managed to save three passengers, while two identified as Mir Hamza (30) and Asad (25) were killed, and one was injured.
Lower Dir: Roof Collapse Kills 5
In Lower Dir’s Maidan Sori Pow, heavy rainfall caused a house roof to collapse, burying several people under the rubble. Rescue teams trekked for three hours through flood-hit terrain to reach the site, recovering seven individuals five of whom had died, while two were injured.
Gilgit-Baltistan: 2 Missing in Diamer Flooding
In Diamer district, heavy rains have caused flash floods in Batogah, Thor Nala, Bonar Nala, and Babusar. Two people are missing, and two injured including siblings Islamuddin (11) and Afsana (15). Power outages and road closures have further crippled daily life. The Babusar Top Road and sections of the Karakoram Highway were temporarily closed due to flooding but have since been reopened.
Battagram: Flash Flood Claims 10 Lives
In Battagram’s Neel Band area, lightning strikes destroyed five houses, triggering flash floods that killed at least 10 people. Search efforts continue for another 18 missing residents, with police, Rescue 1122, and local volunteers engaged in relief operations.
Neelum Valley: Bridges and Roads Swept Away
In Neelum Valley, cloudbursts caused rivers and streams to overflow, sweeping away three suspension bridges, two guesthouses, and damaging roads, leaving hundreds of tourists stranded. Rescue teams have evacuated dozens of tourists to safety, though many remain in cut off areas.
Azad Kashmir: 8 Dead, Infrastructure Damaged
In Azad Kashmir, eight people have died and two injured in rain related incidents. Heavy downpours and landslides have destroyed six bridges, damaged over 30 houses and shops, and cut off road links between several districts. Schools in the affected areas have been closed for two days, and temporary shelters have been set up for displaced families.
Authorities have warned residents to stay away from rivers and streams, while rescue teams continue operations in remote flood hit areas.
