Heavy monsoon rains have triggered devastating flash floods and landslides across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 10 lives, including six children and two women. The hardest-hit areas include Swat, Bajaur, Buner, and Upper Kohistan, where torrential downpours have caused widespread destruction, sweeping away homes, roads, and livelihoods.
In Swat, a mother and her two young sons perished while attempting to cross a swollen stream in the Malam Jabba area. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that the relentless rains have heightened the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in vulnerable regions like Chitral, Dir, Swat, and Kohistan, urging local authorities to take immediate precautions to protect communities and infrastructure. In Bajaur, two brothers were swept away by floodwaters in the Lowi Mamund tehsil, their bodies later recovered by local rescue teams and villagers. Meanwhile, in Buner and Upper Kohistan, additional fatalities were reported as floodwaters and landslides battered homes and roads.
The PDMA has issued alerts to district administrations, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance to prevent further loss of life and damage to property. Rescue operations are ongoing, with teams working tirelessly to assist affected families and clear debris from critical roadways like the Karakoram Highway, which remains operational despite rising water levels in nearby streams. Posts on X reflect growing public concern over the recurring floods, with many highlighting the need for stronger disaster preparedness in the region, especially given Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate-driven extreme weather events.
The heavy rains, which began Monday night, have disrupted daily life, damaged agricultural lands, and left families mourning. Authorities are mobilizing resources to provide relief, while local communities are calling for long-term measures to address the increasing frequency of such disasters. As the monsoon season continues, the region braces for potential further challenges, with forecasts predicting additional rainfall in the coming days.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 23rd, 2025
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