Severe Flooding in Pakistan Claims Lives and Causes Destruction
Tragic Impact of Heavy Rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Screengrab image of flood situation in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
(Source: @Cmoi_Fouad/X)
Islamabad, July 23: Recent heavy rainfall and subsequent flash floods in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have resulted in the deaths of at least 18 individuals and left 19 others injured since July 19, as reported by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
The fatalities were primarily caused by the collapse of roofs and walls, along with individuals being swept away by the floods. Among the deceased are eight children, seven men, and three women, while the injured include 11 men, four women, and four children, according to local media sources.
The PDMA indicated that the severe weather led to damage to 30 homes, with 23 suffering partial damage and seven completely destroyed.
Incidents related to the rain were reported across various regions, including Buner, Swabi, Mardan, Bajaur, Shangla, Lower Chitral, Peshawar, Nowshera, Khyber, Lower and Upper Dir, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Tor Ghar, Kurram, and both North and South Waziristan.
The PDMA is actively coordinating with Rescue 1122, local administrations, and other relevant agencies to conduct ongoing relief and rescue operations in the affected areas.
In Punjab province, rain-related incidents have also resulted in the deaths of eight individuals and injuries to 14 others in cities such as Gujranwala, Narowal, Pakpattan, and Lahore.
In Gujranwala, six fatalities, mostly children, were reported, along with 10 injuries. A trailer accident occurred on GT Road Bypass in Gujrat due to slippery conditions caused by the rain. Rescue officials noted that the casualties were primarily due to roof collapses, drowning, and electrocution.
In Pakpattan, two young children lost their lives when their home’s roof collapsed during the rain, while four factory workers were injured in Lahore due to a similar incident.
Heavy rainfall over a span of 10 hours led to significant flooding in Gujrat and Gujranwala, disrupting daily life and commercial activities. Gujranwala was particularly hard-hit, exacerbated by ongoing excavation work for a metro bus route.