By: Ghulam Hussain Ghazi
On Thursday, August 14, the nation celebrated the 78th anniversary of Independence Day, with joyous festivities continuing late into the night. However, the very next morning, tragic cloudburst incidents in the northern regions plunged the country into a sea of grief and sorrow. While the destruction began across the nation, including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, this sudden calamity wreaked havoc in the mountainous districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), including Buner, Swat, Bajaur, Dir lower, Torghar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Battagram, and Mohmand, devastating entire settlements and causing significant loss of life and property. Torrential floods carrying massive rocks, trees and terrifying debris swept away construction materials, vehicles, animals and human bodies just like straws. Multi storey concrete buildings along waterways collapsed and were swept into rivers, while people on rooftops, reciting prayers for forgiveness, stood frozen in fear, reduced to mere spectators. In Buner, an entire village was erased from existence, with 84 houses washed away and 184 bodies recovered. Across the affected districts, entire families were swept away or went missing. Scenes reminiscent of the Day of Judgment unfolded before its time, and tales of destruction scattered everywhere. Starting around 8 AM, this minor apocalypse submerged homes, neighborhoods, markets, roads, police stations, hospitals, schools, colleges and civic infrastructure in the blink of an eye. Due to the emergency holiday, many children fleeing their homes were swallowed by the floods in a state of panic, while women and children inside had no chance to escape and became victims of fate. So far, 328 bodies have been recovered across the province, with hundreds injured or missing, while federal and provincial rescue agencies, alongside the Pakistan Army, are engaged in immediate relief operations and compiling data on the losses. Tragically, a provincial government helicopter involved in a rescue operation in Bajaur crashed, claiming the lives of five beloved youths who attained martyrdom. Amid this catastrophe, a positive note was the swift response of local institutions. As soon as the cloudburst struck during working hours, police personnel spread out to markets and streets to perform security duties, TMA staff worked to remove encroachments and clear flood obstacles, irrigation department officials reached canals and waterways to manage the situation, and Rescue 1122 monitored floodwaters, issuing warnings to stay away from streams and assisting in rescues when needed thus saving hundreds of thousands of human lives.
The Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur promptly declared the affected districts disaster zones and announced a state of emergency in the province. Accompanied by Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, he visited the severely affected district of Buner, promising 100% compensation for public losses. He announced Rs. 2 million for the heirs of each deceased victim and initiated crash rescue efforts. The Chief Minister released Rs. 1.5 billion for immediate relief operations and allocated an additional Rs. 3 billion to address the damages. He directed all provincial ministers and senior officials to urgently reach the affected areas and oversee relief and rescue operations.
Meeting with the victims, Ali Amin Gandapur emphasized that natural disasters are a test from Allah, but assured them they are not alone while rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts would continue simultaneously until every affected person is fully rehabilitated and satisfied. He also announced the installation of a water mesh net system to combat future floods.
As of now, following the Chief Minister’s directives, all provincial ministers, advisors, and special assistants have reached the affected districts to supervise rescue and relief activities, while Governor KP Faisal Karim Kundi visited Battal in Mansehra to oversee rescue operations. Army Chief General Asim Munir announced the immediate delivery of one day’s rations to the victims and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed condolences. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah contacted the KP government, expressing regret and ordering the dispatch of water filtration plants and ten load trucks of rations, while Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also conveyed condolences to Ali Amin Gandapur.
This tragedy, which turned the joy of independence into mourning in an instant, left the entire nation in shock due to its severity. According to the latest figures, the death toll has reached 327, with 208 fatalities in Buner alone, alongside 156 injuries and over 50 missing individuals.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), this catastrophe was caused by intense monsoon rains and cloudbursts, wreaking havoc in mountainous areas. Reports also indicate 351 deaths, including 29 women and 21 children. In Buner, Swat, and Bajaur, homes, roads, and bridges were completely destroyed, crops were ruined and livestock swept away. The scene was as if the sky had burst open and the earth was swallowing everything. Over 700 homes have been destroyed so far, and PDMA has deployed additional rescue teams. The federal government has directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to expedite rescue operations, with three army battalions deployed. Support from Sindh and Punjab exemplifies national unity. Social media posts show people praying for safety, praising the KP Chief Minister’s resolve and announcements, though some areas report criticism over delayed government response. One post noted that entire villages in Buner were wiped out, with people still missing.
In these moments of calamity, it is crucial to understand what a cloudburst is. A cloudburst is a sudden and intense downpour, where moisture laden clouds gather over a limited area and burst, resulting in over 100 millimeters of rain in mere minutes. It typically occurs in hilly and mountainous regions where warm, humid air collides with mountains, rising to form clouds. In countries like Pakistan, it is more frequent during the monsoon season and its intensity is increasing due to climate change. KP’s mountainous districts are particularly vulnerable due to their geography, which accelerates water flow, causing floods and landslides.
This disaster is not merely natural but also a consequence of human failures, holding critical lessons for both the public and the government. The most significant lesson for the public is to avoid constructing buildings or encroachments along waterways and streams, or they must be prepared for such heavy losses in the future. The world witnessed multi storey buildings along the Mingora stream being swept away, as obstructing water’s path invited disaster. The public must adhere to environmental laws, plant trees and stay away from hazardous areas, or these calamities will repeatedly strike, uprooting families. For the provincial government, the lesson is to ruthlessly remove such encroachments and deal firmly with law violators.
The Chief Minister’s announcement of a water mesh net system is a commendable step, which, if implemented, will aid in early flood warnings and public safety. The federal government must collaborate with the provincial government to take serious climate change measures, such as improving early warning systems, protecting forests and ensuring uninterrupted resource allocation. Failure to do so will leave the province vulnerable to recurring devastation. The federal government’s primary responsibility is to provide special relief grants to the provincial government and ensure the timely provision of all dues and resources to eliminate mistrust at both public and governmental levels, restoring public confidence in the federation. Furthermore, cloudbursts and other climate change phenomena must be meticulously studied, as global warming is increasing their frequency. The federal government should secure international climate funds to support provinces. If these lessons are not heeded, the nation will continue to drown in sorrow and the joy of independence will remain incomplete.
This recent devastation not only caused loss of life but also set the province back economically. The destruction of crops and livestock has broken farmers’ backs and infrastructure damage will require billions for recovery. PDMA has issued warnings of further rains, with the potential for cloudburst related destruction to spread to Punjab by September, so both the government and public must remain vigilant.
