Widespread rain damages
PESHAWAR
At least 22 people have been killed and 23 others injured in rain-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since July 19 as heavy downpours and flash floods continue to affect several districts, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Wednesday.
According to a PDMA report, the deceased include nine men, three women and 10 children, while the injured included 11 men, five women and seven children. The authority said 37 houses were damaged due to torrential rains and flash floods, including 29 partially damaged and eight completely destroyed homes.
The incidents were reported from Peshawar, Nowshera, Khyber, Mardan, Buner, Bajaur, Shangla, Swabi, Lower Chitral, Lower and Upper Dir, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Tank, Torghar, Kurram and North and South Waziristan.
Rescue 1122, district administrations and other relevant departments are engaged in relief operations, the PDMA said. District administrations in the affected areas have been directed to speed up rescue and relief efforts and ensure the provision of immediate financial assistance and essential supplies to affected families.
The authority said water levels and flows in all rivers and streams across the province are currently normal. However, intermittent rainfall is expected to continue, and district administrations have already been placed on alert.
PDMA Director General has urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from rivers, streams, flood channels and vulnerable tourist spots, and follow safety advisories issued by government authorities.
