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Profit MORE RAINS ON THE CARDS AS MONSOON DEATH TOLL REACHES 657 In partnership with

Tuesday, 19 August, 2025 | 24 Safar, 1447

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PM PLEDGES FULL SUPPORT FOR KP FLOOD VICTIMS, ANNOUNCES CABINET’S ONE-MONTH SALARY

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Rs 50.00 | Vol XVI No 42 | 44 Pages | Lahore Edition

NDMA WARNS OF TWO MORE MONSOON SPELLS, CLOUDBURST POSES RISK TO GB, AJK

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ARMY ENGINEERS, RELIEF TRUCKS DISPATCHED TO BUNER AND OTHER AFFECTED AREAS

Scores swept away as cloudburst, landslides devastate Swabi SWABI

staff report

T

ISLAMABAD

staff report

HE National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Monday against more rains and cloudburst incidents in northern parts of Pakistan as death toll during the current monsoon season reached 657 while 929 injured in various incidents across country. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pledged the federal government’s complete support for flood-hit communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, announcing the donation of one month’s salary from the federal cabinet to aid relief efforts. Chairing a meeting to review ongoing relief efforts by federal government in flood affected areas of

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the prime minister directed the federal institutions to intensify efforts to assist rain and flood-affected people in various districts of KP. “In this hour of calamity, there is no federal or provincial government; we must ensure the assistance and rehabilitation of affected people,” the prime minister said adding, “Helping our distressed Pakistani brothers and sisters is our national responsibility”. He said this was not a time for politics but for service and healing the wounds of the people. The prime minister stressed that the federal government will also provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased and affected individuals under the Prime Minister’s relief package.

A powerful cloudburst followed by landslides struck Swabi district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday, causing widespread destruction. Homes were swept away and many residents displaced, according to local officials. Deputy Commissioner of Swabi, Nasrullah Khan, reported that the cloudburst occurred in Dalori Bala after heavy overnight rains, flooding at least 12 houses. “The village consists of 40 to 50 houses, and about 15 to 20 houses have been affected. There are rumors of 10 to 15 fatalities, but no confirmed informa-

Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan will oversee relief and rehabilitation operations in affected areas while the relevant federal ministers will personally monitor the restoration of electricity, water, roads, and other facilities in affected areas, the prime minister added. Furthermore, he also instructed all relevant federal ministers to visit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan in person. The prime

tion has been received as of yet,” Khan told reporters. Rescue teams struggled to reach the affected areas due to impassable roads, with efforts mainly conducted on foot. “We have rescued people trapped in their homes using boats and ladders,” Khan added. Authorities had already been on high alert due to heavy rainfall in the region, and floodwaters began to recede as rescue efforts ramped up. Swabi has called in additional rescue teams from Haripur and Mardan, as local resources were stretched thin by ongoing operations in neighboring Buner. The Pakistan Army has also been deployed to assist in the recovery. minister directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) not to differentiate between provincial or national highways; and opening routes for relief must be the top priority. He also ordered Ministry of Communications, NHA, and FWO to ensure repair of highways and bridges in affected areas. Minister for Communications should personally oversee rehabilitation operations. According to the preliminary es-

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171 CHILDREN, 94 WOMEN, AND 392 MEN DIED DUE TO HEAVY RAINS ACROSS COUNTRY

Kp govt allocates Rs800m relief for flood victims, Rs500m earmarked for worst-hit Buner ISLAMABAD

staff report

In a concerted effort to respond to the ongoing crisis caused by devastating floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the provincial government has released a total of Rs800 million in relief funds for the affected districts. In addition, an extra Rs500 million has been specifically earmarked for Buner, the district which has borne the brunt of the floods, with the highest number of casualties. The floods, which began in late June, have led to the deaths of

timates, damages to public and private property exceeded around Rs 126 million. NDMA presented a report on the provision of rations, tents, medicines, medical teams, and other essentials, with the prime minister directing an increase in the quantity of relief items. The meeting was informed that the monsoon season will continue until the second week of September, with six major spells already passed and two

at least 657 people across Pakistan, with KP recording more than 300 fatalities. The heavy rainfall and flash floods, compounded by landslides and infrastructure collapse, have resulted in a largescale humanitarian crisis. Thousands have lost their homes, and several critical services have been disrupted, further escalating the situation. The worst-hit region in KP remains Buner, with 217 deaths and 120 injuries reported as of Monday. Buner alone accounts for more than two-thirds of the province’s death toll.

more expected, with effects lasting until the last week of September. As per official statistics released on Monday, since June 26, at least 657 people have died in rain-related incidents across Pakistan – 171 children, 94 women, and 392 men. The highest number of casualties has been reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where 390 people have died so far, with hundreds injured or missing.

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