Authorities told to assess damages, ensure compensation. PDMA forecasts fresh spell of rain from April 6–9 in KP
JAVED KHAN
PESHAWAR
At least 45 people, including 23 children, have lost their lives and 105 others sustained injuries in rain-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since March 25, according to a report issued by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
The report, released on Sunday, said that most of the casualties occurred due to the collapse of roofs and walls of houses amid heavy rains in different parts of the province.
The deceased included 23 children, 17 men and five women, while the injured comprised 45 men, 16 women and 44 children. A total of 442 houses have been damaged, including 382 partially and 60 completely destroyed, the authority said.
The incidents were reported from multiple districts, including Bannu, Abbottabad, Kohat, Peshawar, Nowshera, Bajaur, Lakki Marwat, Kurram, Shangla, Buner, Malakand, Upper Dir, Battagram, North Waziristan and Tank.
The PDMA said rescue and relief operations were underway in coordination with district administrations and relevant departments. Authorities have been directed to expedite response efforts and ensure the provision of immediate assistance and essential supplies to affected families.
The authority also instructed district administrations to accelerate relief measures and extend timely support to victims.
According to the PDMA, intermittent rains continued in several districts, with another spell expected to persist in the coming days. Citizens were advised to avoid unnecessary travel and refrain from visiting vulnerable tourist destinations while adhering to official advisories.
In the past 24 hours, significant rainfall was recorded in various areas, including Cherat (101mm), Landi Kotal (67mm), Malam Jabba (58mm), Dera Ismail Khan (52mm), Peshawar (45mm), Takht Bhai (44mm), Pattan and Dir (40mm each), Timergara and Bannu (36mm each), Kalam (35mm), Saidu Sharif and Mohmand Dam (34mm each), Mirkhani (30mm), Drosh (29mm), Kakul (28mm), Parachinar (24mm), Chitral (23mm), Warsak Dam (22mm) and Balakot (16mm).
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Soahil Afridi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property, extending condolences to the bereaved families. In a statement issued from the Chief Minister’s House, he directed the relevant authorities to immediately assess damages and ensure prompt compensation as well as medical assistance for the injured.
“The provincial government stands with the affected families and will not leave them alone in this difficult time,” he said, while also praying for the departed souls and the speedy recovery of the injured.
The PDMA has also placed upper districts of the province on high alert over the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) triggered by persistent rains and rising temperatures, which could accelerate snowmelt and lead to flooding and landslides in vulnerable mountainous areas.
Authorities warned of possible flooding in Kamrat Valley in Upper Dir, Kundya Valley in Upper Kohistan, and Rishun and Booni areas of Upper Chitral. In Lower Chitral, Arkari, Madaklasht and Kalash valleys have also been declared vulnerable.
Due to continuous rainfall combined with snowmelt, there is an increased risk of flash floods in rivers and streams, particularly in low-lying areas. Landslides and rockfalls are also feared in mountainous regions, while a sharp rise in water levels is expected in the Chitral and Swat rivers, the report added. The PDMA further warned that a strong westerly weather system is likely to enter the province from April 6 to 9, bringing rain, thunderstorms and snowfall in mountainous areas. Heavy rain and hailstorms are expected in several districts on April 7 and 8.
Rain and snowfall are forecast for Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Buner, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra and Abbottabad, while rain and windstorms are also expected in Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda, Swabi, Kohat, Kurram, Orakzai, Khyber, Bajaur, Mohmand, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan and Tank. The authority warned that landslides in upper districts and flooding in rivers and canals in various areas were likely, with flash floods expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Malakand, Buner, Abbottabad and Kohistan.
An alert has been issued to all district administrations to take precautionary measures and ensure preparedness for any emergency situation.
