PESHAWAR: Tragic news emerges from Pakistan’s northwest as heavy rains result in the loss of eight lives, primarily children, and leave 12 others injured, according to an official statement on Saturday. The downpours in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province led to the collapse of rooms, trapping and crushing those inside, as reported by Anwar Shahzad, spokesperson for the local disaster management authority. Among the victims were three siblings, aged between 3 and 7 years old, from the same family. These casualties occurred within the past 24 hours, highlighting the devastating impact of the weather.
This year, Pakistan experienced delayed winter rains, beginning in February instead of the usual November onset. The combination of monsoon and winter rains poses an annual threat, causing significant damage across the country.
In a neighboring tragedy, Afghanistan faced heavy rainfall on March 29 and 30, resulting in the destruction of over 1,500 acres of agricultural land and severe damage to hundreds of homes, bridges, and roads across seven provinces, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Saturday. The provinces most affected include northern Faryab, eastern Nangarhar, and central Daikundi.
This recent flooding marks the third occurrence in the northern region within a month, resulting in the loss of seven lives and affecting 384 families due to heavy rains, as reported by the UN agency. The situation underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts to mitigate the impact of natural disasters and provide assistance to affected communities in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
