Death toll from Pakistan flash floods surges to 307

By Umar Bacha & Zahid Imdad (DAWN), Aug 16: The death toll from recent flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, surged to 307 on Saturday as various districts, especially hard-hit Buner, reported more loss of lives, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Saturday.

KP witnessed devastating scenes yesterday as flash floods caused by heavy rainfall and cloudbursts in multiple districts claimed over 200 lives in a day, including five crew members of a provincial government chopper that crashed in Mohmand during relief and rescue efforts.

Buner was the worst-affected district in the province with 184 lives lost in the past 48 hours, according to a situation report seen by Dawn.com. Shangla reported 36 deaths, Mansehra 23, Swat 22, Bajaur 21, Battagram 15, Lower Dir five and a child drowned in Abbottabad.

In a separate daily situation report on its website, the PDMA said 93 more bodies — all men — were recovered in Buner, taking the district’s toll to 184.

Buner DC Kashif Qayum Khan also confirmed the casualties to Dawn.com, adding that rescue teams were continuing their search as 30 remained missing in the Chagharzai tehsil, while “over 100” were injured.