Saba’s story
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n the foothills of Buner’s beautiful mountains lies the village of Bayshonai, still mourning the devastation caused by catastrophic floods. Amidst the ruins an elderly woman, Saba Bibi, sits on the ground in front of her destroyed home, draped in a white scarf, her face etched with deep wrinkles. Her eyes carry an emptiness that comes from losing everything.
The sorrow in her eyes is not just about fallen walls but about an entire life shattered.
“I have lost my children and I have lost my home. Only I remain,” says Saba Bibi.
Her words echo like a haunting memory, recalling the terrifying scenes when torrents of rainwater cascaded down from the mountains, sweeping away the entire village. Everyone suffered, but her grief was the greatest—for she lost not only her house but also her children.
Once, this mud house was her sanctuary, where laughter and life filled the air. Today, only piles of dirt, broken stones and scattered memories remain. Saba Bibi has no source of income, no shelter and no one to provide for her. All she has left is a walking stick, a plastic bag and a few basic necessities.
Saba recalls the disaster:
“When the flood came, I was sick. I didn’t understand what was happening. Someone lifted me and carried me towards the mountain—that’s how I survived.”
The multitude
This is not just Saba’s story but also the story of thousands of people displaced by the severe floods fueled by climate change. Weather patterns have become increasingly unpredictable. Streams that once flowed calmly now turn into deadly torrents.
The relief has been limited to rations and temporary shelters. Saba Bibi talks of a new home. Every day, she sits in front of her ruined house and asks: “Will we ever have a home again?”
From wedding joy to tragedy
In Qadar Nagar, one hears another heartbreaking story. A family was preparing for a wedding—the bride’s room had been decorated, and the entire household was filled with excitement. But the flood changed everything.
When the water came roaring down, it swept away the family’s house. Worse, the disaster also claimed 28 lives from the extended family.
Umar, a relative of the victims, stood among the ruins, unable to cope with the scale of the loss.
Officials emphasise that restoring roads, clearing debris and rebuilding essential infrastructure remain top priorities. However, the scale of destruction means that recovery will take several months, if not years.
“Our family was preparing for a wedding. Now everything is gone,” Umar said. “The joy has turned into mourning. We’ve lost so many loved ones.”
The devastation has left Umar not just grieving but also apprehensive.
“How do we protect ourselves from such disasters again? How do we rebuild?” he asks.
Lives and property
Flash floods and heavy rains have devastated Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Malakand division, killing 319 people and injuring 166 others. 24 people remain unaccounted for.
The worst-hit district is Buner, where 236 people lost their lives, followed by Shangla, Bajaur and Swat.
The floods have caused widespread destruction. 515 houses have been completely destroyed and 3,114 partially damaged. Infrastructure has been severely impacted, with 489 kilometers of roads washed away and 59 bridges collapsed.
Agriculture and livestock losses are staggering. Crops on 63,036 acres have been destroyed. 5,610 cattle have been killed. Education and health facilities have been hit hard. 18 schools have been completely destroyed and 25 health centers affected.
Relief in Buner
Relief operations continue in several affected areas, including Qadar Nagar, Bayshonai, and surrounding villages. Government and social organisations have set up medical camps at several locations to provide emergency healthcare. Volunteers are distributing food supplies.
Officials say that restoring roads, clearing debris and rebuilding essential infrastructure are their top priorities. However, the scale of destruction means that recovery will take several months, if not years.
Immediate needs
The biggest challenges remain access to clean drinking water, sanitation and shelter. Contaminated water sources pose a severe risk of disease, making bottled water, water filtration units and chlorine tablets a top priority.
The shelters are crowded. The lack of adequate toilets has heightened the risk of disease. There is an urgent need for mobile latrines and temporary toilets.
With 515 homes destroyed and more than 3,000 partially damaged, the displaced families desperately need tents, tin sheets and construction materials to rebuild.
Women require hygiene kits including sanitary pads and soap. The families with infants need milk, feeding bottles, diapers and clothing.
Waqar Ahmad is a freelance journalist from Swat district and a PhD scholar in media and mass communication. He reports on climate change, environment, human rights, education and elections. He can be reached at Waqar.swaty93gmail.com