Tragedy in the Mountains: 9 Killed and Villagers Trapped as Cloudburst Strikes in Pakistan

Pakistan News: In the darkness of night, villagers and rescuers searched the rubble of destroyed houses with only their mobile phones for light. Massive rocks had crashed down after a sudden cloudburst high in the mountains.

With no electricity in the area, people used hammers, shovels, and even their bare hands to clear debris and search for survivors. Blocked paths made the work even harder.

Massive Cloudburst Leaves Areas Devastated

Within minutes, a powerful rush of water and rocks swept through the village of Dalori on Monday. Reports suggest that 9 people were killed, 15 houses swept away, and many were completely destroyed. At least 20 villagers are still likely to be trapped under the rubble.

“A huge bang came from the mountain, and then dark smoke rose into the sky,” said Lal Khan, a 46-year-old labourer. “A massive wave of water came down with the sliding mountain.”

The disaster followed days of heavy monsoon rains. More than 350 people have been killed across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province due to the heavy rain. Since Thursday, flash floods and landslides have swept away entire villages, leaving about 200 people missing. Authorities warn more floods could strike soon.

Villagers Say ‘They Are Helpless’

Khan described how he saw the hand of his neighbour sticking out of the rubble. Rescuers later pulled out her body and those of her four children. “We are helpless,” he said. “We don’t have the means to fight this disaster.”

Another villager, Gul Hazir, said the valley was hit by several cloudbursts at once. “It was like an apocalyptic movie. I still can’t believe what I saw,” he recalled. “First came a torrent of rocks and stones, then water. The houses stood no chance.”

Usman Khan, a local official, said many homes had been built in the stream bed itself, which made the damage worse. “The cloudburst hit at least 11 different spots in the area. With no escape route for the water, the destruction was massive,” he explained.

He added that rescue work remains very difficult because heavy machinery cannot reach the narrow alleys.

Also Read: Northern Pakistan Hit by Flash Floods, Death Toll Rises to 225