ISLAMABAD: In a concerted effort to respond to the ongoing crisis caused by devastating floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the provincial government has released a total of Rs800 million in relief funds for the affected districts.
In addition, an extra Rs500 million has been specifically earmarked for Buner, the district which has borne the brunt of the floods, with the highest number of casualties.
The floods, which began in late June, have led to the deaths of at least 657 people across Pakistan, with KP recording more than 300 fatalities. The heavy rainfall and flash floods, compounded by landslides and infrastructure collapse, have resulted in a large-scale humanitarian crisis. Thousands have lost their homes, and several critical services have been disrupted, further escalating the situation.
The worst-hit region in KP remains Buner, with 217 deaths and 120 injuries reported as of Monday. Buner alone accounts for more than two-thirds of the province’s death toll. Flash floods and roof collapses have been common in the district, and significant damage has been recorded in the form of destroyed homes and infrastructure.
Similarly, Shangla recorded 36 deaths, and Swat, a popular tourist destination, has also been severely impacted with 17 confirmed deaths.
In Swat, the destruction has been overwhelming. More than 200 homes have been destroyed, and large-scale damage to livestock has been reported, with 163 cattle killed. The disaster has also severely damaged essential infrastructure, with roads, bridges, and communication lines cut off, making rescue operations even more difficult.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, emphasizing the national responsibility to assist the flood victims, announced a one-month salary donation from the federal cabinet to aid the ongoing relief efforts.
During a high-level meeting on Sunday, he reiterated that the current situation transcended political divisions and demanded a collective national response. He instructed all federal ministers to closely monitor the relief efforts in the worst-hit districts.
“The people of KP, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) are going through one of the most challenging times in recent memory, and we must ensure that no one is left behind,” the Prime Minister remarked during the meeting. “This is a time for service, not politics.”
The PM also urged relevant federal ministries to ensure that their staff and resources are fully mobilized to support provincial efforts in rehabilitation and restoration. He appointed Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam to monitor relief efforts in Buner, while other ministers were tasked with overseeing specific tasks in different districts.
According to the KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the release of Rs800 million will assist in immediate relief efforts, including the provision of food, shelter, and medical supplies. The separate Rs500 million relief fund for Buner will help the district’s administration handle the catastrophic situation in the region.
The government is also working to restore damaged infrastructure. In Buner, for instance, roads and bridges that were washed away by flash floods need immediate repairs to ensure that relief supplies can reach the affected areas. Federal Minister for Communications has been tasked with personally overseeing the restoration of these critical facilities.
In addition to government efforts, several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private companies have come forward to provide aid, further bolstering the relief work. The Pakistan Army is also playing a significant role in search-and-rescue operations and in the distribution of relief materials.
The flood situation is not yet under control. The meteorological department has forecast more rain and flash floods in the coming days, with another wave expected to hit the country in early September. PM Shehbaz Sharif, during the meeting, asked the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to be fully prepared for the additional rains, which could exacerbate the ongoing floods.
“The NDMA and provincial authorities must be in constant communication to ensure efficient coordination and response,” said PM Shehbaz. “We must focus on long-term recovery efforts, including rehabilitation and infrastructure restoration.”
The NDMA is also tasked with conducting a detailed survey of the flood-affected areas and compiling a comprehensive list of those who have lost their homes. Relief packages for these displaced families are expected to be expedited.
As floodwaters surge through rivers, authorities have been closely monitoring key reservoirs and barrages. The National Flood Forecasting Division has issued warnings for medium to high flood levels in the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers, which are expected to rise further due to continuing heavy rainfall in the upstream regions.
The major dams such as Tarbela and Mangla are nearing capacity, and authorities have begun evacuating vulnerable areas near the banks of these rivers. The flow of water at several barrages has reached dangerous levels, and evacuation orders have been issued for settlements along the banks of the Indus River.
The situation is exacerbated by the heavy rainfall that continues to fall in catchment areas, with the Punjab government also bracing for more flooding in the coming days. Local authorities have been tasked with managing water levels in key rivers and preventing breaches at embankments.
The national death toll continues to rise as more bodies are recovered from flood-affected areas. As of Monday, 657 people have died, with the majority of casualties reported from KP (390 deaths). Punjab has witnessed 164 deaths, with most victims being children, followed by Sindh (28 fatalities) and Balochistan (20 deaths). The flood toll in Gilgit-Baltistan stands at 32, with 15 fatalities reported in Azad Kashmir and eight in Islamabad.
As the situation unfolds, provincial governments are working in tandem with the federal government to ensure that the necessary resources are allocated for both immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation.
Saeed Ghani, Sindh’s Minister for Local Government, expressed his condolences for the victims in KP and extended his support. He said that the Sindh government had already sent aid to KP and was prepared to provide more if needed. Ghani emphasized the importance of nationwide unity during such a crisis and suggested that there should be no reluctance in offering help, regardless of provincial boundaries.
“We have faced similar challenges in the past,” Ghani said, “and we understand the importance of unity in such times. We will continue to extend our support as long as it is needed.”
