The death toll from the relentless monsoon rains in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has climbed to 406, according to the latest figures from Rescue 1122. The province has been under a state of emergency since last week as record rains, which began on August 15, have triggered devastating flash floods, landslides, and widespread destruction across districts including Buner, Swat, Shangla, and Mansehra.
The most recent casualties occurred in Dera Ismail Khan, where a heavy downpour on Saturday night claimed eight lives. A further 48 people were injured in incidents of roof collapse across the city. Beyond the tragic loss of life, the storms caused severe infrastructure damage, with reports of fallen trees, destroyed walls, and damaged solar panels. Rescue 1122 teams are actively conducting operations, clearing debris, and transporting the injured to nearby hospitals.
The human cost of the disaster is detailed in a report from the KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). Of the 406 fatalities since mid-August, 305 are men, 55 are women, and 46 are children. An additional 247 people have been injured across the province. The rains have also rendered thousands homeless, damaging 3,526 houses and displacing hundreds of residents, with 337 people displaced in Buner district alone.
Authorities are bracing for further challenges. The PDMA has forecasted more widespread rains from August 22 to 26. In response, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a red alert, urging all administrations to prepare for potential flooding. Nationwide, the monsoon season that began on June 25 has proven exceptionally deadly, claiming at least 788 lives and injuring over 1,000 people. The public has been advised to contact the PDMA helpline at 1700 for emergencies or weather updates.
