At least 17 people, including women and children, have lost their lives after a devastating cloudburst struck Dalori village in Swabi district, officials confirmed on Monday.
Deputy Commissioner Swabi said 13 bodies were recovered in Dalori and four in Sarkoi, adding that search and rescue efforts remain underway. Seven excavators, six ambulances, two rescue vehicles, and Rescue 1122 teams are engaged in the operation. Around 20 villagers are still feared trapped under the rubble. Authorities have distributed tents, mosquito nets, and other relief items to survivors.
Eyewitnesses described the disaster as terrifying. Within minutes, heavy rains unleashed torrents of rocks and water, flattening at least 15 houses and damaging several others. Local resident Lal Khan recalled a thunderous roar followed by “a massive surge of water sliding down the mountain.” Another villager, Gul Hazir, said multiple cloudbursts struck simultaneously, comparing the scene to “an apocalyptic movie.”
Rescuers, using hammers, shovels, and even bare hands, searched the debris through the night by mobile phone light as the village remained without electricity.
The tragedy comes amid relentless monsoon rains that have already killed more than 350 people across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and left about 200 missing. Authorities warn of more flash floods in the days ahead.
Local officials noted that many houses were built directly along the stream bed, which worsened the destruction when massive rocks and mud cascaded into the valley. Excavators continue clearing debris to reopen blocked water channels.
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