MANSEHRA: Rescue teams have recovered two more bodies from the Neel Ban Dheri Haleem area of Mansehra following a devastating cloudburst, bringing the death toll to 16. The heavy rainfall and flash floods hit the village near the Mansehra-Battagram border, destroying homes, shops, and livestock, and sweeping away 26 people.
The initial recovery operation, which focused on Shamlai Police Station’s jurisdiction in Battagram, resulted in the retrieval of nine bodies, including six men, two women, and a child. Rescue 1122 teams, along with the district administration, police, volunteers, and local residents, worked tirelessly to locate the missing individuals. By Friday night, 14 bodies had been recovered, but the operation was temporarily halted due to darkness and difficult terrain. Search efforts resumed early on Saturday, leading to the recovery of two additional victims. The operation continues, with rescue authorities actively searching for the remaining missing persons.
Governor Visits Balakot
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi visited Balakot on Saturday, expressing his deep sorrow over the loss of life and large-scale destruction caused by the recent cloudburst-triggered floods. The governor also expressed condolences for the five lives lost in a helicopter crash during relief operations.
In his statement, the governor highlighted the scale of devastation and called for a united response. “This is not the time for politics, but for unity,” he said. He urged the declaration of Malakand Division as a disaster-hit area, noting the heavy human and material losses in Mansehra. Kundi assured the affected communities that the provincial and federal governments would stand by them and work together to rebuild their lives, though he acknowledged that full compensation for the losses may not be possible.
The governor emphasized the importance of political unity, stating that all political parties must collaborate to support rehabilitation efforts. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to helping the victims recover and rebuild their lives.
