Monsoon floods have killed more than 600 people across northern Pakistan since June, with one district reporting over 200 deaths in just two days as rescue teams struggle to reach affected areas, according to Islamic Relief. Heavy rains triggered flash floods and landslides across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan provinces, destroying homes, crops, and infrastructure. The humanitarian organization is rushing aid to 100,000 people hit by the disaster.
Pakistan faces annual monsoon flooding, but this year’s rains have proven particularly deadly. The mountainous terrain makes rescue operations difficult, and many communities remain cut off from emergency services.
Buner district suffered the worst damage, with four villages completely destroyed and families still searching for missing relatives. Islamic Relief has delivered cooked meals to 590 families and safe drinking water to 700 families in the area. Teams also distributed food packs and water to 420 families in neighboring Swat district. Naheed Shah, Islamic Relief’s area manager in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, described meeting an elderly man who lost three family members while four others remained missing. “We witnessed women searching for their loved ones. Local shopkeepers have lost everything, including their only source of income as the flood waters washed away their shops,” Shah said.
Weather forecasters warn more flooding could hit the region in coming days as monsoon season continues.
