PDMA allocates PKR 338 million to aid flood victims in militancy-hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts. On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) released PKR 338 million to provide relief for flood victims in Pakistan’s militancy-affected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, aiming to support recovery efforts.
Why It Matters
Relief for flood victims in Pakistan is critical in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where floods and militancy compound vulnerabilities, impacting thousands and straining local resources in South Asia’s volatile border regions.
Relief for Flood Victims in Pakistan: PDMA’s Response
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has disbursed PKR 338 million to address the urgent needs of flood victims in districts grappling with both natural disasters and militancy. The funds target areas such as Buner, Swabi, Shangla, Mansehra, Bajaur, and Swat, which have faced devastating flash floods since Friday, August 22, 2025. According to a PDMA report, the floods have claimed 393 lives, with Buner alone reporting 234 fatalities and 128 injuries.
According to the PDMA on X, the funds will support immediate relief efforts, including provision of food, shelter, and medical aid for affected communities. The allocation aims to mitigate the compounded challenges of flooding in regions already destabilised by militant activities, which have disrupted local infrastructure and security.
Scale of the Crisis
The PDMA’s report highlights the severity of the floods, with 42 deaths in Swabi, 36 in Shangla, 25 in Mansehra, 22 in Bajaur, and 20 in Swat. Heavy rainfall from August 22 to August 26, 2025, triggered flash floods in nullahs and streams across Chitral, Dir, Swat, and other districts, damaging homes, crops, and infrastructure. The authority warned of continued heavy rainfall, predicting potential landslides and urban flooding in low-lying areas like Peshawar and Nowshera until Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
The funds are part of a broader effort to provide relief for flood victims in Pakistan, particularly in militancy-hit areas where security concerns complicate rescue and rehabilitation. The PDMA has mobilised 130 boats, 115 outboard motors, 500 rescue workers, and 1,300 life jackets to support evacuation and relief operations.
Challenges in Militancy-Hit Districts
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s border districts, including Bajaur and North Waziristan, face heightened militant activity, which exacerbates the challenges of delivering relief for flood victims in Pakistan. The region’s porous border with Afghanistan fuels illicit trade and terrorism, straining local governance and resources. The PDMA’s allocation aims to address immediate humanitarian needs while acknowledging the complex security environment.
The authority has urged local administrations to clear drainage systems, remove debris, and secure vulnerable structures to minimise further damage. It also called for coordination with municipal authorities to mitigate risks of landslides and urban flooding, particularly in hilly areas like Abbottabad and Kohistan.
Broader Relief Efforts
Beyond the PKR 338 million allocation, the PDMA has distributed 139,043 ration bags, 19,225 plastic mats, 21,254 mosquito nets, and 65,576 cans of clean drinking water across affected areas. Rescue 1122 evacuated 28,055 people from districts like Kasur and Bahawalnagar, with 45 relief camps still operational as of Tuesday, August 26, 2025. These efforts complement the funds released for militancy-hit districts, ensuring comprehensive relief for flood victims in Pakistan.
Background
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has faced recurring natural disasters, with flash floods and heavy rainfall causing significant loss of life and property in recent years. The province’s proximity to Afghanistan and ongoing militancy, including activities linked to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), complicates disaster response. The PDMA’s role in coordinating relief efforts is critical, yet it has faced criticism for lacking comprehensive guiding principles to mitigate calamities effectively, despite being active for over a decade.
The current floods, described as the worst since 1955 in some areas, have been compounded by regional factors, including water releases from Indian dams on the Ravi and Sutlej rivers. These have led to catastrophic discharges, with the Chenab and Ravi rivers recording outflows exceeding 900,000 and 200,000 cubic feet per second, respectively, on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.
What’s Next
The PDMA’s PKR 338 million allocation marks a critical step in providing relief for flood victims in Pakistan, particularly in militancy-hit districts. Ongoing monitoring and additional funding will be essential to support recovery and rebuild infrastructure in these vulnerable regions.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, September 1st, 2025
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