Since late June 2025, Pakistan has faced catastrophic flooding—triggered by monsoon rains and rare cloudbursts—terravating northern and central areas with over 660 fatalities, hundreds injured, and many still missing.

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), especially Buner District, experienced the worst toll—over 200 deaths in Buner alone, with landslides and flash floods destroying villages and homes.
• Northern regions like Swat, Bajaur, Mansehra, Shangla, and Battagram also suffered massive losses.
• From June to early August, the NDMA reported 303 deaths, 727 injuries, and widespread damage across Punjab, KP, Sindh, Balochistan, GB, and AJK.
• As of mid-August, over 320 deaths were registered in KP alone, while nationwide fatalities topped 655, with 880+ injuries and 209 missing.

Cloudbursts handing over 150mm+ of rain within an hour in mountainous areas triggered sudden floods—evidence of changing monsoon patterns under a warming climate.

Despite early warnings by NDMA and PMD, the scale and suddenness of the rains caught communities off guard, especially in remote and poorly connected regions.

• Strengthen early-warning systems and disaster preparedness in mountainous and urban flood zones.
• Prioritize resilient infrastructure, especially in vulnerable districts like Buner and Swat.
• Scale up relief efforts: deploy tents, medical aid, and rapid response teams to displaced families.

 Key Facts at a Glance

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)