Peshawar/Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir on Wednesday visited Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the northwest province worst affected by recent floods, where the death toll has risen to 380 since August 15.
Across Pakistan, 43 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents over the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide toll to 750 since the monsoon began in late June, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
During their visit, Sharif, Munir, and several federal ministers toured the flood-hit districts of Swat, Buner, Shangla, and Swabi. They were briefed on ongoing rescue and relief operations and met with flood victims in Buner. The Prime Minister assured the affected communities of the federal government’s and Pakistan Army’s “unwavering commitment to providing maximum support,” emphasizing that “every available national resource will be mobilized to speed up recovery and restore normalcy.” Sharif also distributed compensation cheques worth Rs 2 million to affected families.
Bilal Faizi, spokesperson for KP’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), told PTI that 41 bodies were recovered from debris in Swabi in the past 24 hours, bringing the province’s death toll since August 15 to 380. Rescue operations continue in Buner and Shangla.
Buner and Swabi have been the hardest hit, while Swat, Bajaur, Mansehra, Shangla, Lower Dir, Battagram, and Swabi have also suffered significant damage from persistent rains and floods since last week.
KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced that families whose homes were destroyed would be provided with new houses and compensation. Speaking at a provincial cabinet meeting, he reviewed the flood situation, received briefings on relief and rehabilitation efforts, and directed officials to fully restore healthcare facilities in affected areas while taking preventive measures against potential disease outbreaks. Gandapur also announced an additional Rs 2 billion in flood relief funds, on top of the previously allocated Rs 3 billion.
Beyond KP, 11 people each died in Sindh and Gilgit-Baltistan, and one in Balochistan over the past 24 hours, according to NDMA data. Overall, the monsoon season, which began on June 26, has claimed 750 lives and left 978 injured across Pakistan.
