Nation in Mourning: Helicopter Crash, Mass Burials Amid Deadly Pakistan Floods

Pakistan Floods Kill 645, KP Worst Hit in Decades-Long Monsoon Disaster

ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR 18 August Ali Imran Chattha 

Pakistan is facing one of its worst monsoon disasters in decades, with at least 645 people confirmed dead nationwide as torrential rains and flash floods continue to wreak havoc.

The hardest-hit province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), has recorded 383 deaths, with several districts cut off by washed-out roads and collapsed bridges. Thousands remain stranded as relief teams struggle to reach remote areas.

Buner: Epicenter of Tragedy

In Buner district, the devastation has been catastrophic, with more than 200 people killed within 48 hours. Families have held mass burials as rescuers search through flattened homes. Authorities have restricted vehicle movement to keep corridors clear for emergency relief, while political leaders, including PTI’s Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, visited survivors.

Losses Across Provinces

Other districts in KP have also suffered heavily: Shangla (36 deaths), Mansehra (23), Swat (22)—where flooding disabled a major grid station—Bajaur (21), and Battagram (15). Lower Dir and Abbottabad together reported six fatalities.In Gilgit-Baltistan, the collapse of the Naltar Expressway stranded tourists and forced the shutdown of three hydropower plants. Elsewhere, Punjab has reported 164 deaths, Sindh 28, Balochistan 20, Azad Kashmir 14, and Islamabad eight.Nationwide, over 700 homes have been damaged, and in KP alone, more than 430 kilometers of roads and dozens of bridges have been destroyed, leaving many areas inaccessible.

Helicopter Crash Adds to Grief

Relief operations were further hampered when a military MI-17 helicopter carrying aid supplies crashed in Mohmand district, killing all five on board. Victims included Group Captain (ret.) Aftab Iqbal and Lt. Col. Shahid Sultan. The army attributed the tragedy to adverse weather conditions. KP declared a day of mourning following the crash.

Response and Aid Efforts

More than 2,000 emergency responders are working in nine flood-hit districts, with special teams trekking into remote valleys. Rescue 1122 reported handling 3,500 emergencies within 12 hours, while at least 17,000 people have been rescued or displaced.The federal government has announced Rs2.55 billion in emergency funds, including Rs1 billion for KP and Rs1.55 billion for infrastructure repair. International organizations are also stepping in: the World Food Programme is scaling up food aid for 1.9 million people, UNICEF is mobilizing health and water supplies, and the Red Crescent has activated emergency hubs in KP and Gilgit-Baltistan.

More Rains Expected

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast further heavy rainfall in KP and Gilgit-Baltistan until August 21, with new weather systems expected to hit Sindh and Balochistan from August 18. Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable zones to evacuate, warning that the casualty toll may rise further.

Pakistan Floods at a Glance (as of Aug 17, 2025)

Nationwide deaths: ~645 | Injured: 905+ | Displaced/Rescued: 17,000+

Worst hit: KP (383 deaths, 430 km of roads destroyed, dozens of bridges washed away)

Helicopter crash: 5 killed during relief mission in Mohmand

Federal aid: Rs2.55bn released for relief & reconstruction

International support: WFP food aid for 1.9m, UNICEF health & water programs, Red Crescent hubs active

Forecast: Heavy rains to continue in KP/GB till Aug 21; new systems to hit Sindh & Balochistan from Aug 18