The death toll in Pakistan’s flash floods and landslides triggered by the intense rainfall has climbed to 351, officials said on early Monday.
In the northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the majority of 328 people have been killed, while hundreds are believed to be injured. Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan reported 12 deaths, and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir saw 11 fatalities.
Authorities fear that the death toll could climb sharply as rescue and relief operations continue in the worst-hit areas, where intense floods have caused infrastructural damage. The Provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) has declared an emergency in all flood-hit areas as death keeps mounting amidst ongoing search and rescue operations.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority issued a notification declaring nine districts flood-affected, including Swat, Battagram, Bajaur, Buner, Dir Lower, Dir Upper, Mansehra, Torghar and Shangla. According to officials, Buner witnessed 209 deaths, with 134 still missing and 159 more injured.
The Pakistan government has pressed 300 civil defence volunteers, whereas the Pakistan army has also joined the rescue operations. The chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gadapur, visited flood-hit areas in Buner and later chaired a meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that they have so far rescued some 3500 people from nine flood-hit districts. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday also observed a day of mourning to express sorrow and grief over the loss of lives across the province.
Also Read: Monsoon fury: 321 killed in north-west Pakistan
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