Unprecedented floods in Buner kill 158 as rescue efforts continue

The death toll from torrential rains and flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Buner district has risen to 158.

According to Buner Deputy Commissioner Kashif Qayyum, powerful floodwaters triggered by the storms caused multiple accidents, claiming dozens of lives.

Rescue teams have recovered 56 bodies so far, while more victims are feared as the situation remains critical. The official added that the worst damage occurred in the mountainous areas, where helicopters are being used to evacuate stranded residents.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar said that Tehsil Dagar, Gadezai, and Gagra were the hardest-hit areas, adding that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government helicopters were actively engaged in relief operations.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday contacted National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider to review the flood situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said.

During the meeting with the NDMA chief, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary joined via video link to brief on the latest updates. The prime minister directed the NDMA chairman to maintain close coordination with the provincial government and ensure the use of all available resources to save lives.

Tarar said 40 people are reported missing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to the ongoing flooding, which has caused widespread devastation in the province. The prime minister instructed the NDMA to launch comprehensive relief operations in the affected areas without delay.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed grief over the devastation caused by floods in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He stressed the need for a long-term strategy to protect communities from future flood threats and urged party workers to play their full role in assisting the affected people in disaster-hit districts.