As icy winds grip the flood-ravaged valleys of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Malakand division, a humanitarian crisis deepens. In Buner district, dozens of displaced families are facing the harsh winter without permanent shelter, their wait for promised government assistance stretching into a fifth month.
A Cold and Unfulfilled Promise
In Pir Baba, one of Buner's worst-affected areas, the air is thick with urgency and despair. For 48-year-old Riaz Buneri and hundreds of other affected families, winter has brought renewed hardship and unfulfilled hopes. Standing on the muddy remains of his former home, Riaz watches the severe cold settle in, knowing his family must once again endure the biting, foggy weather.
"I had purchased expensive furniture for my daughter's wedding," Riaz shared, his voice heavy with loss. "The August 2025 floods swept away everything in just a few minutes. I am still trying to recover from those financial losses." Triggered by torrential rains and cloudbursts on August 15, 2025, the floods devastated large parts of Malakand, destroying homes, businesses, roads, and bridges across Buner, Shangla, Swat, Battagram, Bajaur, and Swabi.
The Scale of Destruction and Slow Road to Relief
Official figures from the KP government paint a stark picture: the disaster claimed over 411 lives, injured 132 people, and left 12 missing. Across the province, 571 houses were completely destroyed, while nearly 2,000 sustained partial damage. In response, the provincial government announced enhanced compensation packages, raising aid for fully destroyed houses to Rs1 million from Rs400,000, and for partially damaged homes to Rs300,000 from Rs100,000.
However, for victims on the ground, relief remains painfully slow and entangled in bureaucratic red tape. Many are forced to make repeated visits to district administration and revenue offices to pursue their claims. "Ministers and NGO representatives came, took photos, and left after giving us hope," Riaz said bitterly. "But even after 150 days, we are still living under the open sky."
Since the floods, Riaz and his son have been hauling stones from nearby hills in a desperate attempt to build a single room for their family. With limited resources and no formal assistance, the task feels overwhelming. This story of self-help is common, with many families racing against plunging temperatures to erect makeshift shelters from salvaged materials.
Political Recriminations Amidst a Lingering Crisis
The plight of flood victims has also become a point of political contention. Hamza Khan, President of PML-N Nowshera, criticized the KP leadership, alleging that instead of focusing on relief, the Chief Minister was preoccupied with agitation politics. "Most flood victims in Buner are still living in makeshift shelters and tents," he stated, while also pointing to broader governance issues and corruption scandals in the province.
While the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reports progress on infrastructure—such as reopening roads and repairing bridges—and notes that over Rs4 billion has been released for relief, these statistics offer little comfort against the cold. "What we need is not just money, but dignity, speed, and attention," said local resident Samad Khan, echoing a widespread sentiment among survivors.
As freezing temperatures tighten their grip on Pir Baba, a second crisis looms, marked by cold, disease, and prolonged displacement. For families stripped of their livelihoods, winter threatens to extract a toll nearly as heavy as the floodwaters. The clock is ticking for the KP government to transform announcements into tangible action. Until then, flood victims like Riaz continue their uphill struggle, clinging to a simple hope. "I don't want charity. I just want what was promised," Riaz said quietly. "My daughter deserves a warm room for her wedding, not a tent in the cold."
