About 320 people have been reported to be dead in the last 24 hours on Saturday after the deadly floods that hit northern Pakistan.
Rescue teams struggled to retrieve bodies from debris after a flash flood triggered heavy monsoon rains in the mountainous Khyber Pahktunkhwa district, according to the provincial Disaster Management Authority.
The floods also claimed 9 lives from areas in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and five died in disputed areas like Gilgit-Baltistan
Five crew members from a government helicopter also died during rescue and relief efforts after the it crashed in Mohmand.
The provincial rescue agency said that around 2000 rescue workers were engaged in recovering bodies from the debris and carrying out relief operations. Bilal Ahmed Faizi, a spokesperson for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s rescue agency said that “Heavy rainfall, landslides in several areas, and washed-out roads are causing significant challenges in delivering aid, particularly in transporting heavy machinery and ambulances. “
He also said that very few people will be relocating because most of them would stay back waiting for their relatives who are either dead or trapped in debris.
The mountainous districts of Buner, Bajaur, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, and Battagram were declared as the most disaster-hit areas by the provincial governemnt. Buner district was hit the hardest and saw at least 184 deaths.
The country’s national Disaster Management Authority, NDMA, said that most of the fatalities, around 211 deaths, were recorded in the KP region.
Speaking to AFP, Syed Muhammad Tayyab Shah, a representative of the national disaster, told AFP that this years monsoon season began earlier than usual and was expected to end later. He said that in the next 15 days, the intensity of the rainfall will exacerbate. The rains are expected to continue till 21 August.
Monsoon floods in Pakistan are often deadly. In 2022, monsoon floods took over a thrid of the country and killed aroud 1,700.
Residents who witnessed the landslide likened it to seeing doomsday. First responders have been trying to recover bodies from some of the worst hit villagers. Officials have warned that the death toll may rise as many are yet to be found under the debris.
Pakistan flash floods: Death toll over 300 after towns submerge, roads wash away
