PESHAWAR: Days of heavy rainfall and flash floods have claimed 22 lives and injured 23 others across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with dozens of homes damaged as monsoon-related incidents continue to affect several districts, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Wednesday.
According to the PDMA’s latest situation report, the fatalities were caused by roof and wall collapses as well as people being swept away by flash floods between July 19 and July 23.
The deceased include nine men, three women and 10 children, while the injured comprise 11 men, five women and seven children.
The authority said the severe weather also damaged 37 houses, including 29 partially damaged homes and eight that were completely destroyed.
The affected districts include Peshawar, Nowshera, Khyber, Mardan, Buner, Bajaur, Shangla, Swabi, Lower Chitral, Lower and Upper Dir, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Tank, Tor Ghar, Kurram, and North and South Waziristan.
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The PDMA said it is working in coordination with Rescue 1122, district administrations and other relevant agencies, while rescue and relief operations remain underway in the affected areas.
The authority has instructed district administrations to accelerate relief activities and ensure the prompt delivery of assistance and essential supplies to affected families.
Despite the widespread damage, the PDMA said water levels and flows in the province’s rivers and streams remain within normal limits.
The authority warned that intermittent rainfall is expected to continue through Thursday and said all district administrations have already been placed on alert to respond to any emergency.
The PDMA also advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from vulnerable tourist destinations and follow official weather advisories and alerts.
It added that the PDMA Emergency Operations Centre remains fully operational. Citizens can report emergencies or obtain weather-related information through the authority’s toll-free helpline 1700.
