At least 146 people have died in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) over the past 24 hours as flash floods wreaked havoc across the province, while five others were killed when a government helicopter crashed in Changi Banda on Friday. Several more remain missing.
Since late June, torrential monsoon rains have triggered deadly floods, landslides, and widespread displacement, particularly in vulnerable and densely populated areas. Buner district was the worst affected, recording 78 deaths, including 75 men, two women, and a child, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). Bajaur saw 21 fatalities, including eight children, and eight injuries. Lightning strikes claimed 15 lives in Battagram, while Mansehra and Swat reported 14 and 11 deaths respectively. In Lower Dir, a roof collapse killed five men, and Shangla recorded two deaths from a similar incident.
The KP government dispatched a helicopter with supplies to Bajaur, but contact was lost due to bad weather. The wreckage was later confirmed in Changi Banda, killing five passengers, including two pilots. KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced a day of mourning, stating that the martyrs would be buried with full honours.
باجوڑ کے بارشوں سے متاثرہ علاقوں میں امدادی سامان لے جانے والا صوبائی حکومت کا ایم آئی 17 ہیلی کاپٹر خراب موسم کی وجہ سے کریش کر گیا۔ اس افسوسناک حادثے میں دو پائلٹ سمیت عملے کے پانچ افراد شہید ہوئے۔
— Government of KP (@GovernmentKP) August 15, 2025
وزیر اعلیٰ خیبر پختونخوا علی امین گنڈاپور
A second government helicopter was carrying out relief operations in Buner, where access to affected areas remains challenging, according to PTI MNA Gohar Ali Khan. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to evacuate stranded residents and provide relief.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to accelerate rescue operations in Battagram, while KP officials, including the Chief Minister and Hazara commissioner, coordinated relief efforts on the ground. Governor Faisal Karim Kundi indicated that an emergency declaration could be considered.
As rescue operations continue, authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid flood-affected areas while relief efforts reach the hardest-hit communities.