Torrential rains, flash floods, landslides, and lightning strikes have unleashed unprecedented destruction across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, over the past 48 hours, leaving 321 people dead and communities reeling. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed the staggering toll on August 16, 2025, as rescue operations race against time to save lives and provide relief.

Buner district bears the brunt of the catastrophe, with 184 fatalities and 23 injuries, including 17 men, 4 women, and 2 children.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), alongside the Pakistan Army and local administrations, has mobilized extensive efforts to evacuate stranded residents and deliver aid. However, the scale of the disaster poses immense challenges, with entire villages submerged and infrastructure crippled.

The PDMA reported that the deceased include 279 men, 15 women, and 13 children across the province. In the Swat district, rescue teams successfully evacuated 2,071 people, though 20 lives were lost to the floods.

The calamity has also damaged 74 homes, with 11 completely destroyed and 63 partially affected, leaving families homeless and vulnerable.

Authorities warn that the monsoon rains, which have triggered cloudbursts, landslides, and overflowing rivers, will likely persist until August 21, raising fears of further devastation.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has urged residents to avoid rivers, streams, and low-lying areas, while tourists have been advised to steer clear of northern regions for at least a week.