In a video message, Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shahab Ali Shah said that on the night of August 14 and 15, heavy rains and cloudbursts hit several districts of the province, including Bajaur, Dir, Buner, Swat, Shangla, Battagram, and Mansehra, causing massive loss of life and property. He said that immediately after the disaster, an effective rescue operation was launched in which Rescue 1122, the Relief Department, district administrations, police, and personnel of the Pakistan Army took part. More than 2,000 personnel and over 200 vehicles are currently engaged in the rescue and relief operations.

The Chief Secretary said that the floods had cut off access to many areas, destroying roads and bridges. However, thanks to the tireless efforts of rescue teams, 90 percent of roads and bridges have been restored, reconnecting most affected areas. In places where road access has not yet been restored, relief supplies are being delivered on foot or through alternative means. He added that the PDMA, NDMA, PKHA and Pakistan Army’s Engineering Corps are working jointly to rebuild damaged infrastructure. Where permanent bridges cannot be constructed immediately, temporary steel bridges are being installed. Alongside this, work is underway at a fast pace to restore electricity supply and cellular networks. The Chief Minister has directed all public representatives to remain present in their respective constituencies and keep close contact with affected families.

According to Shahab Ali Shah, food rations and other essential supplies have been arranged and are being provided continuously. The Public Health Engineering Department and other concerned agencies are working to ensure the supply of clean drinking water in flood-affected areas. Medical camps have also been set up in different districts where doctors and staff from the Health Department and the Army Medical Corps are providing healthcare facilities.

The Chief Secretary said that Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has announced a special relief and compensation package for the victims. Funds have already been released for the families of martyrs and the injured, and distribution has begun from today. The Chief Minister also visited flood-hit areas, met public representatives and provincial as well as federal officials, and instructed them to remain alert and intensify their efforts. He said that the provincial government had already released Rs. 3 billion to accelerate restoration and rehabilitation works.

Highlighting the weather forecast, the Chief Secretary said that two more monsoon spells are expected by the end of August and the first week of September. In view of this, the government has activated its early warning system. District administrations have been directed to monitor the situation closely and issue timely alerts to the public. People living in high-risk areas should be temporarily shifted to safer places, he added.

Appealing to the people, the Chief Secretary urged citizens not to pay attention to rumors and strictly follow instructions issued by the administration. He emphasized that rescue and district administration teams are present on the ground and that full cooperation is essential. “All citizens are requested to take government warnings seriously in order to protect their precious lives and properties,” he said.

The Chief Secretary further stated that both national and international organizations are sending relief items to the province. Logistics hubs have been set up in every district to receive relief goods and dispatch them in an organized manner to areas in need. This, he said, would prevent duplication of efforts and ensure timely delivery of assistance.

He added that the Prime Minister has also announced a relief package, terming it a “national effort” in which federal and provincial governments, along with different units of the Pakistan Army, are working jointly to serve the people. “All institutions – civil, federal, provincial, and military – are fully mobilized to reduce the suffering of the people in this difficult time and to provide them immediate relief,” the Chief Secretary concluded.

Arrangements Underway for Provision of Tents in Various Affected Areas

Following the directives of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Syed Fakhar Jehan, relief activities have been intensified in flood-affected districts of the province.

Under the supervision of Director Youth Affairs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Nauman Mujahid and District Youth Officers, youth volunteers are working round the clock to deliver essential food items, clean drinking water and mosquito nets to families hit hardest by the disaster in Swat, Buner, Battagram, Mansehra, and Shangla. Volunteer camps have also been set up to ensure uninterrupted supply of basic necessities.

In Shangla’s Puran tehsil, ration packs were distributed through the Jawan Markaz, including rice, flour, pulses, sugar, tea, milk, spices, cooking oil, salt, matchboxes, bottled water, mosquito nets, pain relief medicines and other daily-use items. In addition, arrangements are being made for the supply of 40 to 50 tents to accommodate displaced families.

Likewise, in Buner’s Peer Baba area, the District Youth Officer and his team, along with local youth volunteers, carried out the distribution of food and relief items among affected households.

Minister Syed Fakhar Jehan commended the dedication of youth volunteers, stressing that in remote and mountainous areas, ensuring a steady supply of food and essential commodities for at least one week is vital. He directed concerned officials and District Youth Officers to further strengthen the relief operations so that timely support reaches every affected family.

On the special directives of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Agriculture, Major (Retd.) Sajjad Barkwal, and Secretary Agriculture, Dr. Ambar Ali Khan, an Emergency Control Room has been activated at the Bureau of Agriculture Information, Peshawar, effective from August 15, to facilitate and guide farmers.

Recent rains and floods have caused severe damage to crops and farmlands across various districts of the province. In view of this situation, farmers can report any agricultural losses or problems to the Emergency Control Room. For this purpose, a dedicated helpline 0348-1117070 has been issued, where staff is available round-the-clock (24/7) to provide guidance and assistance.

Officials of the Agriculture Extension Department stated that in this difficult time, the department stands firmly with the farming community and will extend all possible support to resolve their issues. The control room will remain fully operational to ensure immediate redressal of farmers’ problems and to facilitate them effectively.

Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Science & Information Technology, Dr. Shafqat Ayaz, visited his constituency in Kot Manzray Baba today to offer condolences to the bereaved family of Irfan Khan, son of the late Syed Kaka, and to pray for the departed soul.

On this occasion, Dr. Shafqat Ayaz expressed profound grief and sorrow with the bereaved family, saying that the passing of Irfan Khan is not only a personal tragedy for his family but also a great loss for the entire community. He noted that the late Irfan Khan was a man of noble character and kind nature, who will always be remembered for his goodness, service, and exemplary conduct.

Dr. Shafqat Ayaz stated that in this hour of grief, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, and the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, have also conveyed their heartfelt sympathies and solidarity with the grieving family. He added that the PTI leadership and the provincial government stand firmly with the people and will never abandon them in times of hardship.

Dr. Shafqat Ayaz prayed for the elevation of the deceased’s ranks, eternal peace for his soul, and patience and strength for the bereaved family. He emphasized that extending compassion and support to one another in times of sorrow is both a social and religious duty. He urged the community to stand by the family in their grief and provide every possible support so they can endure this difficult period with courage and resilience.

Provincial Minister for Local Government, Arshad Ayub, paid a detailed visit to the flood-affected areas of Mingora, Swat. During the visit, he inspected Makan Bagh, Bangladesh, Mula Baba, Swat Press Club, Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Office Mingora, and other affected sites.
He was accompanied by CEO Water and Sanitation Services Company (WSSC) Swat, Tanveer-ur-Rehman, as well as all Tehsil Municipal Officers of Swat. The CEO briefed the minister on the ongoing rehabilitation and restoration efforts. He informed that WSSC Swat is actively working on the restoration of drinking water supply schemes, repair and cleaning of sewerage and drainage lines clogged by floodwater, and removal of mud and debris from roads and streets to restore smooth mobility. Emergency response teams and heavy machinery have also been deployed in the worst-hit areas to provide immediate relief to the public. Arshad Ayub appreciated the efforts of WSSC Swat and the district administration, while directing that the pace of rehabilitation works must be further accelerated. He instructed that all available field staff and machinery should be fully utilized, and if necessary, additional workers and personnel should be arranged on a daily basis from outside sources to ensure that the process is not delayed at any stage.
Later, the minister, along with Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Fazal Hakim Khan, Adviser on Housing Dr. Amjad Ali, District Chairman Akhtar Khan, Members of Provincial Assembly Muhammad Naeem and Ali Shah, Member of National Assembly Saleem-ur-Rehman, Mayor Babuzai, and Mayor Bahrain Shahid Ali, held a detailed meeting to review the ongoing relief and rehabilitation activities. During the meeting, a joint strategy was devised to further accelerate the rehabilitation process and ensure maximum relief to the affected population.

Minister Arshad Ayub reiterated that restoring mobility and providing relief to the people is the government’s top priority. He added that funds have already been released to expedite the ongoing rehabilitation and development measures in the flood-hit areas.

Health Advisor Ihtisham Ali Visits Buner with Medicines, Ambulances, and Medical Teams – Medical Camps and Mobile Health Clinics Established

Advisor to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Health Ihtisham Ali reached Buner along with emergency medicines, ambulances, and medical teams. During the visit, he inspected DHQ Daggar, THQ Pir Baba, the medical camp set up by Insaf Doctors Forum, and Pir Baba Bazaar. He was accompanied by Secretary Health Shahidullah Khan, Regional Director Health Malakand Dr. Daud, IDF President Dr. Nabi Jan Afridi, and other officials.

The Health Advisor visited patients in hospitals, met with attendants, and handed over emergency medicines, two mobile health clinics, and medical staff to the District Health Officer (DHO) Buner. With the support of the Insaf Doctors Forum, a medical camp has been established at THQ Pir Baba, while doctors are also engaged in providing treatment through field camps.

Talking to media representatives, Health Advisor Ihtisham Ali said:

“I personally brought medicines, ambulances, and medical staff to Buner. From morning till evening, I visited every health facility and stayed on the ground. We are committed to provide maximum support to the affected population. All health facilities are operational 24/7. The resilient people of Buner have set an excellent example of government-public cooperation during this disaster.”

He added that the people are working shoulder to shoulder with the government machinery in the rescue operation, proving that resilient nations always support their governments in times of crisis.

The Health Advisor informed that emergency health operations are ongoing across Malakand Division, including Swat, Shangla, Dir, and Bajaur. Medicines and medical staff have been deployed everywhere, while the government is considering establishing a Crisis Management Cell at the divisional level to ensure timely response to any natural calamity.

Furthermore, consignments of emergency medicines have already been dispatched from the provincial warehouse to the affected districts. Coordination with donor agencies has been established to enhance support.

Ihtisham Ali also announced that the Provincial Disaster Surveillance Unit and the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System (IDSR) have been activated to monitor potential outbreaks and ensure effective response.

On the special directions Advisor on Health, Ihtesham Ali and Commissioner Hazara Division, the Health Department dispatched a dedicated medical team to the flood-affected area of Neel Ban in Tehsil Baffa of Mansehra District to provide immediate relief and medical care to the community.

Led by Dr. Faisal Khanzada, District Health Officer, the team comprising doctors, paramedics, and support staff undertook a challenging four-hour journey on a dangerous 30 km road from Chatter Plain, reaching the affected area in the early hours. A medical camp was established, where 120 patients of all age groups were examined and provided essential medicines.

Most of the patients were children and elderly, suffering from flood-related medical complications. In addition, recognizing the emotional trauma faced by the community, particularly children who had lost their parents, a clinical psychologist was part of the team to provide counseling and psychological support.

The visit brought solace to the grief-stricken community, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Health Department for standing with them in this difficult time.