On August 19, 2025, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government announced a week-long closure of schools in cold mountainous regions, including Swat and Malakand Division, due to cloudbursts, heavy rains, and flash floods. The closure, effective from August 19 to August 25, aims to ensure student safety amid severe weather conditions
KP Education Minister Faisal Khan Tarakai confirmed the decision via an official notification shared on X, stating, “Educational institutions in the cold mountainous areas will remain closed from August 19 to 25, but all educational activities will continue at home or online.” Unlike other regions, these high-altitude areas typically have shorter summer holidays, from July 1 to 31, making the closure significant.
📢 خیبر پختون خوا کے تمام ونٹر زون اسکولز 19 اگست سے 25 اگست 2025 تک کلاؤڈ برسٹ، سیلاب اور لینڈ سلائیڈ کے خطرات کے پیش نظر بند رہیں گے۔ تعلیمی سرگرمیاں گھر پر یا آن لائن جاری رکھی جائیں گی۔ pic.twitter.com/4KoaO0HDNZ
— Faisal Khan Tarakai (@FaisalKTarakai) August 18, 2025Heavy rains have triggered destructive flash floods across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, causing significant loss of life. In Swabi district, a cloudburst in Dalori village on Monday claimed 13 lives, with four additional deaths reported in Sarkoi. The Deputy Commissioner of Swabi reported a total death toll of 17, including women and children. Rescue operations are ongoing, with seven excavators, six ambulances, two rescue vehicles, and Rescue 1122 teams working to free people trapped under debris.
Read: Pakistan Braces for Flash Floods Due to Heavy Rains in Multiple Regions
The floods have wreaked havoc in KP, particularly in flood-prone areas like Swat and Malakand. Authorities urge residents to avoid low-lying areas near nullahs and rivers, secure homes, and follow weather updates from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is coordinating relief efforts and monitoring water levels to mitigate further risks.
