Islamabad(The COW News Digital)Pakistan’s devastating floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have raised serious concerns about the scale of human loss, with the Prime Minister’s aide, Akhtar Wali, warning that over 1,000 deaths could have occurred in Dir district alone.
Speaking on ARY News’ program Iztiraj Hai, Wali shared first-hand accounts from his recent visit to flood-affected areas. He stated that the figures reported so far reflect only the deaths of those whose bodies were brought to hospitals. Many more are missing, and mass burials are underway, making it likely that actual fatalities are far higher.
Wali detailed the destruction, saying, “In Chugharzi, Bunir, significant devastation has occurred, and in Bashooni, entire villages have been wiped off the map. Stones as large as trucks were swept away in the floodwaters. Homes along riverbanks have vanished, leaving no trace.”
He confirmed that at least 300 bodies have been received at hospitals, but thousands remain unaccounted for. The situation, he emphasized, underscores the catastrophic impact of the floods and the urgent need for relief operations.
Comparing the current disaster to previous events, Wali remarked, “I witnessed the 2005 earthquake and the 2010 floods, but returning from Bunir today, my heart is heavy. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, except for NDMA, few agencies are actively managing the response. Provincial government resources are minimal; only a handful of tractors were seen assisting.”
He praised the NDMA for its heavy machinery, which cleared massive boulders and reopened blocked roads, preventing further isolation of flood-hit communities. Without their intervention, he warned, transportation and rescue operations would have remained severely hampered.
The flood-affected areas continue to face destruction of homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods, with thousands displaced. Emergency services and relief operations are ongoing, but officials stress that immediate support and resources are crucial to prevent further loss of life.
Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious, cooperate with rescue teams, and avoid unnecessary travel in high-risk areas. As relief operations intensify, officials hope timely intervention will mitigate additional casualties and assist in the recovery of affected communities.
