The death toll from severe monsoon rains that have caused flash floods across northern Pakistan has risen to at least 225 over the past 48 hours, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Saturday.

The majority of fatalities, 211, were recorded in the mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Nine more deaths occurred in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, while five people were killed in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region. Most victims lost their lives due to flash floods and collapsing houses, with 21 others reported injured.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rain alert for the northwest, urging residents to take “precautionary measures” in the coming hours.

The provincial government has officially declared the severely affected mountainous districts of Buner, Bajaur, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, and Battagram as disaster-hit areas.

Meanwhile, the provincial rescue agency told AFP that around 2,000 rescue workers were deployed to recover bodies from debris and conduct relief operations across nine affected districts.

“Heavy rainfall, landslides in several areas, and washed-out roads are causing significant challenges in delivering aid, particularly in transporting heavy machinery and ambulances,” said Bilal Ahmed Faizi, spokesman for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Rescue Agency.

“Due to road closures in most areas, rescue workers are travelling on foot to conduct operations in remote regions,” he added. “They are trying to evacuate survivors, but very few people are relocating because their relatives or loved ones remain trapped in the debris.”

Rescue Operations:

• 2,000 personnel deployed
• Access limited due to landslides and washed-out roads
• Emergency evacuations underway, mainly on foot