At least 71 people have died, including 40 children, in rain-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) since the start of the monsoon season in late June, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). Another 86 people have been injured, with 33 of them being children. The heavy monsoon rains, which continue to batter the region, have triggered devastating floods, landslides, and infrastructure collapses, particularly in vulnerable and densely populated areas.
Swat district has been the worst affected, recording 22 deaths, followed by Buner, Malakand, and other regions. Tragically, on June 27, 17 people, mostly tourists, went missing after flash floods hit Swat and Malakand. While 12 bodies were recovered and four people rescued, one victim remains missing. The delayed rescue efforts sparked nationwide outrage. Further casualties were reported on July 21, when a woman drowned and two children were swept away, while three others died in a roof collapse in Swat’s Bahrain tehsil.
The PDMA report reveals extensive damage, with 358 houses affected—54 completely destroyed—and 142 cattle lost. Swat, Karak, and Buner saw the highest property losses. Authorities have issued a rainfall alert for multiple districts, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, and Peshawar, predicting thunderstorms over the next 24 hours. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of more heavy rains from August 4 to 7, urging administrations to remain on high alert.
As rescue and relief efforts continue, the rising death toll and widespread destruction highlight the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness in flood-prone regions. The provincial government has directed all relevant agencies to mobilize resources and assist affected communities amid forecasts of further severe weather.