Rescuers Search for Survivors After Deadly Cloudburst in Pakistan

A devastating cloudburst struck the village of Dalori in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, on August 7, 2023, unleashing torrents of water and rocks that resulted in significant destruction and loss of life. The sudden deluge destroyed at least 15 houses, with nine confirmed fatalities and around 20 villagers still trapped beneath the rubble.

Rescuers and local residents worked tirelessly throughout the night, using hammers, shovels, and their bare hands to clear debris from the flattened homes. With no electricity in the area, efforts continued under the dim light of mobile phones. Eyewitnesses described the chaos that ensued when the cloudburst occurred, with a local labourer, Lal Khan, recounting, “A huge bang came from the top of the mountain, and then dark smoke billowed into the sky.”

The cloudburst came amid heavy monsoon rains that have already claimed over 350 lives across the region. The flooding and landslides have devastated numerous villages, leaving approximately 200 people still unaccounted for. Authorities have issued warnings of potential further flash floods in the coming days.

Eyewitness Accounts Highlight the Scale of Destruction

Residents shared harrowing accounts of the incident. Gul Hazir, a fellow villager, described the scene as “like an apocalyptic movie,” stating that the initial impact came not from water but from a massive torrent of rocks and stones that crashed into homes. Local administration official Usman Khan noted that many houses had been built in the middle of the stream bed, exacerbating the disaster’s severity. “There was no way for the water to recede after the cloudburst struck at least 11 separate locations in the area,” he said.

The condition of the village has made rescue operations particularly challenging. Heavy machinery cannot navigate the narrow alleys, forcing rescuers to rely on hand tools and sheer determination. As they worked to clear the debris, they faced the grim reality of discovering victims. Saqib Ghani, a student searching for his relatives, had to be pulled away from the rubble after attempting to dig with his bare hands.

Community Grieves as Hope Dwindles

In the wake of the disaster, villagers held funerals for five victims, mourning in homes that remain without electricity. Grief-stricken families are now grappling with the loss of loved ones, with some residents expressing despair over their future. One woman, draped in a large shawl, lamented, “I will not live here anymore.”

The community, which had previously rallied to support neighboring flood-affected areas, now finds itself in dire need of assistance. “We didn’t know we would be needing help ourselves,” Hazir reflected, highlighting the sudden turn of fate that has left them overwhelmed.

As the rescue operations continue, the village of Dalori faces an uncertain future. With ongoing threats of further flooding and the extensive damage to infrastructure, the path to recovery will be long and arduous. The resilience of the affected community, however, remains evident as they come together in the face of this calamity.