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ISLAMABAD — August 18, 2025 — At least 20 people were killed on Monday following fresh torrential rains in northern Pakistan, as the country grapples with one of its most intense monsoon seasons in recent history. The latest fatalities occurred in Swabi district, located in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where a cloudburst destroyed several homes and triggered deadly landslides.
The region has been battered by relentless rainfall since mid-June, resulting in widespread flooding, infrastructure collapse, and mass displacement. According to Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), more than 340 people have died nationwide due to monsoon-related incidents, with the majority of casualties reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
🆘 Rescue Efforts Halted by Renewed Downpours
Emergency response teams were forced to suspend search and rescue operations on Monday due to renewed rainfall and washed-out access roads. Volunteers in Buner district, one of the worst-hit areas, reported that dozens of bodies remain buried under debris and mud, with heavy machinery unable to reach remote villages.
“This morning fresh rains forced a halt to relief operations,” said Nisar Ahmad, a volunteer in Buner. “Twelve villages have been destroyed, and 219 bodies recovered so far. Clean drinking water and food supplies are urgently needed.”
🏔️ Communities in Crisis
Residents in mountainous regions have fled to higher ground, seeking shelter under damaged infrastructure or in caves. Survivors described scenes of panic as homes collapsed and livestock perished.
“Even light rain now terrifies us,” said Ghulam Hussain, a resident of Buner. “Children and women are running up the mountains to escape.”
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned of continued heavy rainfall through August 21, with risks of further flash floods, landslides, and urban flooding across northern and central provinces.
🌍 Climate Vulnerability and Economic Impact
Pakistan remains one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations. Preliminary government estimates place the cost of flood-related damage at over $445,000, with hundreds of homes, schools, and public buildings destroyed.
The disaster has reignited calls for stronger climate resilience and infrastructure planning. In 2022, similar monsoon floods submerged one-third of the country and killed more than 1,700 people.
