The death toll from relentless flash floods in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has surged to 307, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). Torrential monsoon rains, cloudbursts, and subsequent landslides have ravaged multiple districts, leaving a trail of destruction and despair.

The worst-hit areas include Buner, which recorded a staggering 184 deaths, followed by Shangla with 36, Mansehra with 23, Swat with 22, Bajaur with 21, Battagram with 15, Lower Dir with five, and Abbottabad, where a child tragically drowned. The PDMA reported that the floods, triggered by heavy rainfall since late June, have caused widespread devastation, particularly in vulnerable regions with poor drainage and dense populations.

On Friday alone, over 200 people lost their lives as floodwaters swept through homes and villages. PDMA spokesperson Faizi warned that the death toll could climb further, with dozens still missing in the affected areas. Rescue operations, hampered by damaged infrastructure and ongoing rains, continue as teams search for survivors amidst collapsed buildings and flooded valleys.

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The floods have also displaced thousands, destroyed homes, and damaged critical infrastructure, including roads and bridges, across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In Buner, entire villages have been washed away, leaving survivors stranded and in desperate need of aid. The provincial government has mobilized emergency services, but the scale of the disaster has overwhelmed local resources.

Since the monsoon season began, Pakistan has faced unprecedented rainfall, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern regions like Gilgit-Baltistan bearing the brunt. Experts attribute the increasing intensity of these weather events to climate change, which has amplified monsoon patterns and triggered more frequent cloudbursts—sudden, intense downpours that wreak havoc in mountainous areas.

The PDMA has issued alerts for continued rainfall until August 21, urging residents to avoid riverbanks and low-lying areas. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a Rs 4 billion relief package to support affected regions, but survivors are calling for faster aid delivery and long-term measures to bolster resilience against climate-driven disasters.

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