Pakistan: Over 320 dead in 48 hours after heavy rains trigger flash floods; met dept warns of more showers

More than 320 people have been killed in the past 48 hours as heavy monsoon rains triggered devastating flash floods across northern Pakistan, AFP reported citing officials on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the meteorological department has issued a fresh warning for heavy rainfall in northwest Pakistan in the coming hours.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed that most of the fatalities—211 deaths—were recorded in the mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Nine more people died in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, while five fatalities were reported in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The majority of victims were trapped in flash floods or killed by collapsing houses; while at least 21 others were injured, the news agency reported.

Authorities have declared the hardest-hit districts of Buner, Bajaur, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, and Battagram as disaster zones. The provincial government said the scale of destruction has overwhelmed local infrastructure.

Rescue Operations
According to the AFP reported citing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s provincial rescue agency that around 2,000 rescue workers are currently engaged in relief efforts across nine affected districts.

“Heavy rainfall, landslides in several areas, and washed-out roads are causing significant challenges in delivering aid, particularly in transporting heavy machinery and ambulances,” Bilal Ahmed Faizi, spokesman for the rescue agency told AFP.

He added that with road access blocked in most areas, many rescue workers are travelling on foot to reach survivors in remote regions. "They are trying to evacuate survivors, but very few people are relocating due to the deaths of their relatives or loved ones being trapped in the debris."