Hassan Abdal / Balakot:
The sudden floods triggered by torrential rains in the UP-Pays areas continued to wreak havoc on Wednesday, while 10 people were swept away in a swollen stream in Hassan Abdal, while the authorities were branded in the heavy monsoon in the Kaghan valley to save 160 blocked passengers, said officials.
The tragedy struck Jhary Kas, Hassan Abdal, when a vehicle carrying 10 people was swept away by a sudden flood in a local stream. The officials said that the rescue 1122 divers had recovered four bodies – all the women of Wah Cantt – while research continued for a missing child.
The deceased included three sisters: Kinza, Nazia and Sabira Bibi. The fourth victim was identified as Aiman Bibi. A four -year -old boy, Mustafa, remains disappeared. The search was temporarily suspended late at night, but was to resume early in the morning, according to the rescue authorities.
The first reports suggest that the family returned from a wedding ceremony when the incident occurred. Their vehicle was taken in a strong current of water suddenly caused by strong recent precipitation, which led to dangerously high levels in the stream.
In another tragic incident in the middle of the current monsoon showers, a mud house collapsed in Darveshabad, Balakot (Abbottabad district), killing two girls. The inhabitants pulled the girls from the rubble, but they succumbed to their injuries.
Further north, the administration of the Manshra district, the Kaghan Development Authority (KDA) and the National Highway Authority (NHA) worked during the night to save more than 160 travelers and restore traffic between the tourist places of Jalkhad, Barwai and Besar.
Officials said tourists and passengers to Gilgit were blocked after sudden floods in local rivers.
“KDA, NHA and district administration worked in the middle of heavy rain and cleaned the highway after 12 hours,” Moazzam Khan, KDA head, Express PK Press Club told.
Balakot’s assistant commissioner Nadir Khan added that rescue staff 1122 had waded into the flooded stream near Besar to reach those trapped in their vehicles. “Everyone was safely evacuated at night and moved to neighboring hotels,” Khan said.
The rescue teams provided first aid to eight people with minor injuries, physical exhaustion, hypoglycemia and vomiting. Fortunately, no serious victim has been reported.
The current monsoon rains in progress have created dangerous conditions in various tourist destinations, increasing the risk of road blockages, landslides and floods in low and hilly areas. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) urged people to take precautionary measures. (With application input)
