Pakistan expands rescue and relief efforts after floods cause over 200 deaths in a single district

Pakistan expands rescue and relief efforts after floods cause over 200 deaths in a single district
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Rescue operations intensified Sunday in northwestern Pakistan’s Buner district after flash floods caused by heavy monsoon rains killed over 220 people, Arab News reported. The mountainous district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province experienced cloudbursts and torrential downpours on Friday, triggering floods and landslides. More than half of damaged roads have reopened, enabling access to isolated villages. Crews are clearing debris and collapsed homes with heavy machinery, searching for missing residents.

In one tragic incident, 24 members of a family died in Qadar Nagar village when floodwaters swept through their home before a wedding. Four relatives remain missing. Provincial Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur promised 2 million rupees ($7,200) compensation per deceased family and provided tents, food, and clean water to prevent disease outbreaks.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is overseeing relief efforts, ordering faster aid distribution and evacuation of stranded people. Pakistan’s disaster authority warns of more heavy rains and landslides through August 19. Since June 26, monsoon rains have killed over 600 nationwide. Experts link the increasing severity of such disasters to climate change.

In Indian-administered Kashmir, flash floods killed at least seven, injured five, and displaced thousands during an annual pilgrimage.