ISLAMABAD: At least nine people lost their lives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the northwestern province of Pakistan, due to rain-related incidents over the last 24 hours, as heavy rainfall wreaked havoc across the province, leading to landslides and flash floods. An emergency has been declared in the Lower and Upper Chitral districts until August 15 to facilitate immediate rescue and relief efforts.
The province experienced heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms on Saturday, causing widespread destruction to infrastructure and triggering landslides in various areas. The Chitral district faced significant devastation as bridges, roads, and livestock were washed away by flash floods.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, several regions in the country are expected to receive continuous rainfall until July 26, exacerbating the ongoing challenges faced by the affected communities.
The latest report from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of KP indicated that nine people lost their lives in the past 24 hours, with casualties reported in Swat, Battagram, Mansehra, and Buner. Additionally, seven people sustained injuries in Swat, Battagram, and Mansehra.
Flood Devastation in Pakistan
The PDMA also reported that nine houses were completely destroyed, while 67 others suffered partial damage, leaving many families displaced and in dire need of assistance.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, the Relief, Rehabilitation, and Settlement Department issued a notification following requests from deputy commissioners of Lower and Upper Chitral to declare an “emergency” in their districts. The emergency declaration aims to mobilize resources and support for immediate rescue and relief activities, as well as the restoration of damaged communication networks and water supply.
Responding to the crisis, KP Interim Chief Minister, Mohammad Azam Khan, directed the relief department and district administration to be on high alert. He called for swift action in launching relief and rescue operations, ensuring that affected individuals receive timely aid and support. The chief minister assured that the provincial government would extend every possible assistance to those affected by the calamity.
In a separate incident in Gilgit Baltistan’s Skardu district, four members of the same family lost their lives, and one person was injured in a landslide while trying to escape from another landslide triggered by heavy rainfall.
In Balochistan, rainfall in several areas led to the provision of relief items by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority to the affected people in Basima and Patak areas of Washuk district. The relief items, including food, tents, blankets, and utensils, were dispatched promptly to assist the affected communities.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with rescue teams actively engaged in assessing the affected areas and providing necessary aid. Efforts are underway to reach the site of the incident in Skardu to recover the injured and the deceased.
The situation in Balochistan’s Kacchi district remains challenging, with “very high” floodwaters on the Pinjira Causeway disrupting traffic in both directions. National Highway Authority personnel and machinery are on standby, awaiting a reduction in water levels to restore traffic flow.
