A government MI-17 helicopter crashed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Mohmand district, killing five crew members, including two pilots, during a critical flood relief mission. The disaster unfolded as the helicopter delivered aid to flood-ravaged Bajaur, where severe weather disrupted communication and caused the crash. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur confirmed the tragedy, declaring a day of mourning across the province.
The helicopter crash compounds the devastation from flash floods that have claimed at least 146 lives across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the past 24 hours. Torrential rains, cloudbursts, and landslides have wreaked havoc in districts like Bajaur, Buner, Swat, Battagram, and Mansehra.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reports 126 men, 12 children, and 8 women among the deceased, with 123 people injured and many still missing. Floodwaters have destroyed 35 homes—seven completely and 28 partially—while landslides have blocked key routes, complicating rescue efforts.
Rescue teams, including the Pakistan Army, provincial agencies, and volunteers, are battling treacherous terrain to reach stranded residents. In Swat’s Mingora, Malam Jabba, and other low-lying areas, floods have submerged homes, forcing families to seek refuge on rooftops.
The PDMA warns that heavy rains may continue until August 21, potentially worsening the crisis. Authorities urge residents to take precautions and avoid flood-prone areas.
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