Pakistan flood disaster: Rescue Helicopter missing, Over 131 people dead across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Widespread heavy rains, cloudbursts, landslides, and lightning strikes have caused massive loss of life and property across various parts of Pakistan, including Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

According to official and local reports, more than 131 people have lost their lives in separate incidents, with hundreds injured and dozens reported missing. Torrential rains have also destroyed hundreds of houses, damaged road networks, and washed away large swathes of agricultural land.

Bajaur:

Rainfall and lightning in Jabrai village of Salarzai Tehsil in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa caused devastation. Several houses were destroyed by floodwaters, killing 9 people, injuring 4, and leaving 17 missing.

Five more people died in a separate lightning strike. Some houses are completely buried under rubble while the rising water level is hampering rescue operations. The Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner are overseeing relief work in the affected areas.

Lower Dir:

Five people, including a girl, were killed and three were injured when a roof collapsed in the Maidan area of Lower Dir district. The injured were taken to a hospital.

Gilgit-Baltistan

Rain, landslides, and floods in Gilgit-Baltistan killed 10 people and injured several others.

Floods claimed 8 lives in Ghizer District, while a glacier burst in Hunza caused the banks of the Hassanabad drain to overflow, prompting evacuation orders for residents. Traffic remains suspended on the Babusar and Silk Road highways as several bridges and roads have been swept away.

In Skardu, the water channel of the Satapara Dam was destroyed, cutting off power supply, while the Indus River and its tributaries in Kharmang and Ganche are swelling dangerously.

Rescue teams are also searching for a missing helicopter carrying 5 people, which lost contact in the bad weather while flying over the region.

Azad Kashmir

In AJK, a cloudburst killed six members of the same family. Authorities have closed educational institutions for two days due to the severity of the rains.

IIOJK

In IIOJK’s Kishtwar district, a sudden flash flood triggered by a cloudburst killed at least 46 people and left more than 200 missing, including over 30 Hindu pilgrims. Over 1,000 people were present in the area at the time. Around 100 sustained injuries, with 30 in critical condition. Rescue teams, braving treacherous terrain and adverse weather, have recovered 40 bodies so far.

Overall Situation

Floods, landslides, and relentless rainfall have damaged infrastructure across the affected areas, destroying homes, crops, schools, and roads. Governments and rescue agencies have declared emergencies, with various organizations — including the army, NDRF, and SDRF — engaged in relief work. However, bad weather and blocked routes continue to hinder operations.