ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is reeling under one of its deadliest monsoon seasons in years, as relentless rains and swelling floods continue to devastate vast regions. Since June 26, at least 657 people have lost their lives and more than 920 sustained injuries in rain-related incidents, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The calamity has been fuelled by cloudbursts, lightning strikes, flash floods and collapsing structures across the country.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has borne the heaviest toll, with remote mountainous districts such as Buner emerging as the epicentre of tragedy. Rescue 1122 officials reported recovering 373 bodies across KP, most of them from Buner, while search operations remain underway.
Fresh rains on Monday worsened the crisis. In Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi, Swat and Malakand, heavy downpours inundated homes, shops and roads. In Buner, relief efforts were hampered as damaged bridges restricted access to cut-off villages. Parachinar also witnessed flash floods that damaged roads and embankments. In Nowshera’s Chakki Mamrez, a roof collapse killed a husband and wife.
The provincial capital Peshawar faced severe urban flooding, with overflowing drains swamping major roads, bazaars and residential areas, disrupting traffic and damaging vehicles.
In Punjab, Multan, Jhang, Khushab and Chakwal were lashed by continuous rainfall, with several localities submerged. Balochistan saw cloudy and humid conditions, with the Met Office forecasting further rain in Zhob, Musakhail, Mastung and adjoining areas. In Azad Kashmir, thunderstorms hit Dhirkot and parts of Poonch division, compounding the nationwide misery.
