KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also reached out to KP’s leadership by telephoning both the Chief Minister and Governor. He expressed grief over the loss of hundreds of lives in the unprecedented floods and prayed for the families who lost their loved ones.
Murad Ali Shah paid tribute to the five martyred personnel who lost their lives when a KP government helicopter crashed during relief operations. He stated that these officers were engaged in the noble mission of public service and should be remembered as national heroes.
The Sindh government shares the sorrow of the victims’ families. Those who laid down their lives in service of the people will never be forgotten,” Shah remarked, emphasizing that Sindh stood united with KP in this difficult time.
Widespread Flood Devastation Across KP
The floods triggered by cloudbursts, landslides, and heavy rains have wreaked havoc in several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The scale of destruction has been massive, leaving hundreds of families displaced and entire villages swept away.
According to official figures, more than 210 people have lost their lives so far, with many others injured or missing. Buner district has suffered the heaviest losses, with over 150 reported dead and dozens still unaccounted for. The floods, caused by a sudden cloudburst, washed away multiple villages, destroyed homes, swept livestock and vehicles, and forced the authorities to impose an emergency in the district.
In Bajaur, 21 people were killed as a result of flooding and landslides following another cloudburst. In Mansehra’s Dheri Haleem village, at least 16 bodies were recovered from floodwaters after being swept downstream to Battagram. Both Buner and Bajaur, along with Mansehra and Battagram, have now been declared calamity-hit areas by the provincial government.
Helicopter Crash Adds to Tragedy
As the floods wreaked havoc, another tragedy struck when a KP government helicopter crashed during relief efforts in Bajaur. The helicopter was on its way to deliver aid to flood-affected areas when it went down. Two pilots and three crew members embraced martyrdom in the crash, adding to the grief of a province already reeling from natural disaster.
Officials confirmed that the helicopter had been dispatched as part of an emergency mission to provide assistance to stranded families in remote areas cut off by floodwaters. The incident has further highlighted the risks faced by rescue workers and military personnel during humanitarian operations in hostile weather conditions.
