Rescue teams work through power outages, floods and severe weather as rains disrupt daily life across the province
Heavy rains caused flooding on the Zhob-Dera national highway, leading to the closure of the road PHOTO: EXPRESS
PESHAWAR:
At least nine people were killed and 47 others injured after heavy rains caused roofs and walls to collapse in parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa since March 25, according to a report released by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Monday. Intermittent rain is expected to continue through Tuesday.
The PDMA reported that the deaths occurred in several districts, including Bannu and North Waziristan. Eight of the deceased were children and one was a woman. Among the injured are 26 men and 21 children. In addition, six houses suffered partial damage.
Rescue 1122, district administrations and other relevant agencies are coordinating and continuing the rescue operations.
Authorities have asked local administrations in affected districts to ensure prompt delivery of relief supplies. Authorities in Bannu, the worst-affected district, have been instructed to provide immediate assistance to the families of those who lost their lives.
Heavy rains also caused flooding on the Zhob-Dera national highway, leading to its closure.
In Lakki Marwat, a roof collapsed in Serai Noorung area late at night, injuring two children aged eight and three. Rescue teams rescued them from the rubble and transported them to a hospital.
In Nowshera, the roof of a house collapsed in the Bara Banda neighborhood, injuring two men and two women. The 1122 rescue teams evacuated all the injured and transported them to a hospital.
Read: Nine dead in rain-related incidents in KP, Punjab
Intermittent rains continue across the province, affecting Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, North Waziristan, Kohat, Bajaur, Dir, Chitral, Swat, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Battagram, Shangla and Khyber.
Light snowfall was reported in the higher mountainous regions, while lower hilly areas experienced a sharp drop in temperature.
In Lower Dir, heavy rains over the past 24 hours have caused torrents in local streams and minor flooding in the Panjkora River. The storms also disrupted electricity supplies, leaving several areas without power overnight. High winds and rain brought colder conditions back to the region.
Peshawar and surrounding areas were also affected, with low-lying neighborhoods submerged and water accumulating on roads, causing traffic disruptions.
Authorities urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly to flood-prone areas, and to follow official advice.
The PDMA, Rescue 1122, district administrations and other agencies remain engaged in the relief efforts. The PDMA Director General tasked local administrations, particularly in Bannu, to expedite relief operations and provide immediate support to the affected families.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed sadness over the loss of lives, according to a statement issued by the governor’s press secretary.
