A sudden spell of extreme weather has devastated parts of Battagram district’s Union Council Shamlai, claiming at least 10 lives and leaving dozens missing.
Local officials confirmed that torrential rains triggered flash floods, while lightning strikes added to the destruction. The disaster destroyed between six and eight homes, and eyewitnesses reported that powerful floodwaters swept away an estimated 30 to 40 residents.
Rescue teams rushed to the scene but have struggled to reach affected areas due to the district’s rugged, mountainous terrain. Six bodies were found during the initial phase of the search, with four more recovered later. Search operations are still underway, though worsening weather and difficult access routes are slowing progress.
Survivors and community elders are calling on provincial authorities to expedite relief efforts, warning that the death toll could rise if stranded residents are not reached quickly. For many, the incident highlights the vulnerability of remote mountain communities to sudden climate-driven disasters and the urgent need for better early warning systems.
