Rescue operations are underway amidst power outages, flooding, and severe weather conditions as heavy rains disrupt daily life in various areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
According to a report released by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Monday, heavy rains since March 25 have led to roof and wall collapses, resulting in at least nine fatalities and 47 injuries. The PDMA anticipates intermittent rainfall to persist until Tuesday.
The casualties occurred in districts such as Bannu and North Waziristan, with eight children and one woman among the deceased. The injured include 26 men and 21 children, while six houses have suffered partial damage.
Rescue 1122, district administrations, and other relevant agencies are actively coordinating relief efforts. Local administrations in affected districts have been instructed to promptly provide relief supplies, with a focus on Bannu, the most severely impacted area.
In addition to the casualties, heavy rains have caused flooding on the Zhob-Dera National Highway, leading to its closure. In Lakki Marwat, a roof collapse in the Serai Noorung area injured two children, aged eight and three, who were rescued and taken to a hospital. Similarly, in Nowshera, a house roof collapse in the Bara Banda area resulted in injuries to two men and two women, all of whom were promptly evacuated and transported to a hospital by Rescue 1122 teams.
The province continues to experience intermittent rainfall, impacting various regions including Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and others. Light snowfall has been reported in higher elevations, while lower hill areas have seen a significant temperature drop.
In Lower Dir, heavy rainfall has led to stream torrents and low-level flooding in the Panjkora River, disrupting electricity supply and causing power outages in several areas overnight. Strong winds and rain have brought colder conditions to the region.
Peshawar and surrounding areas are also affected, with submerged neighborhoods and water accumulation on roads causing traffic disruptions. Authorities advise residents to avoid unnecessary travel, especially in flood-prone zones, and adhere to official guidance.
Relief efforts by the PDMA, Rescue 1122, and district administrations are ongoing. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed condolences for the loss of lives in a statement issued by the Governor’s Press Secretary.
