Following the tragic incidents that have taken place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) over the past two days, including deadly floods due to heavy rains and the crash of a government helicopter during a rescue mission, the provincial government has announced a day of mourning across the province tomorrow.
According to an official announcement, the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all government buildings.
Cloudbursts and heavy rains have wreaked havoc in various areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the district administration and disaster management officials, a total of more than 150 people have died so far.
Deputy Commissioner Buner, Kashif Qayyum, said that 78 precious lives have been lost in Buner alone due to floodwaters. The most affected areas are said to be mountainous and remote villages, where rescue teams are facing difficulties in accessing them.
According to the National and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (NDMA and PDMA), 146 people were killed and dozens were injured in various accidents due to landslides, lightning and heavy rains in 7 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – Bajaur, Battagram, Torghar, Mansehra, Swat, Buner and Shangla. Many houses have been completely or partially collapsed.
Another tragedy occurred today during the same flood situation when a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government official helicopter MI-17, carrying relief supplies for the affected areas in Bajaur, crashed in Mohmand district.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur confirmed the accident and said that five people, including two pilots, on board the helicopter were martyred.
