The KHYBER-PAKHTUNKHWA (KP) communications and work department has unveiled an astounding estimate of 9.45 billion rupees for repairing roads and bridges damaged by sudden floods and heavy rains through the province from August 15 to 22.
The relentless rains and sudden floods ravaged Khyber -Pakhtunkhwa (KP), killing at least 393 people, 190 injured and 1,618 damaged houses – including 433 completely destroyed – with Biner reporting the highest balance at 234 deaths.
In a detailed report published on Saturday, the ministry said that 331 roads were damaged at 336 locations, with approximately 493 kilometers of road infrastructure made unusable due to serious floods and landslides. Among these, 229 roads were partially reopened to traffic, while 50 were fully restored. However, 57 roads remain inaccessible and complete rehabilitation should take time.
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The report added that the restoration of these road networks alone would require approximately 9.45 billion rupees. Meanwhile, flood waters have also swept 32 bridges across the province. A single bridge has been completely reopened for traffic, while 22 are partially operational and nine remain closed. The ministry has planned that the cost of restoring damaged bridges will amount to Rs1,12 billion.
The most seriously affected district was the Swat, where 79 roads underwent damage to 80 different points. In total, 43 kilometers of roads were swept away at Swat alone. The restoration efforts in the district have led three roads to be completely reopened, while 75 were partially eliminated. However, two roads remain inaccessible. The cost of rehabilitation in Swat has already crossed 450 million rupees.
In the Biner district, 43 roads were damaged, with only four still completely inaccessible. Thirty-nine roads experienced a partial restoration. The department said that more than 450 million rupees had already been spent on repair work in the region.
In Swabi, 41 roads have undergone damage, but 32 of them have not yet been restored to traffic. The officials said that rehabilitation efforts are continuing in all the affected regions, the work being priority in the fields with critical connectivity.
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The landslides and sudden floods are common during the monsoon season, which generally starts in June and lasts until the end of September.
This year, nearly 750 people have died since the start of the season, according to the authorities.
Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the effects of climate change and faces extreme weather events.
Mousson floods overwhelmed a third of Pakistan in 2022, resulting in around 1,700 deaths.
