PESHAWAR: Heavy rain in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province has resulted in the deaths of at least 24 people and injuries to 17 others over the past three days, according to an official statement released on Thursday.
The monsoon season in Pakistan, which lasts from July to August, usually brings around 255mm of rain each month. In 2022, the monsoon caused extensive damage across the country, destroying over 75,000 homes and partially damaging 130,000 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone, as reported by government and international aid agencies.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that the recent heavy rainfall has led to overflowing rivers, saturated flood basins, and overwhelmed drainage systems, causing widespread flooding.
The worst-hit area has been Kohat, where 10 people, including six children, have lost their lives due to rain-related incidents. Efforts by the district administration, Rescue 1122, and local volunteers have focused on recovering the deceased and distributing non-food items, such as tents, mattresses, blankets, kitchen sets, and hygiene kits, to affected families.
Upper Chitral has suffered the most significant infrastructure damage, with 107 houses either fully or partially destroyed by flash floods. In total, 150 houses have been affected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during this period, with 77 partially damaged and 73 completely destroyed. Other impacted areas include Hangu, Haripur, Mansehra, Lower Dir, Charsadda, Mohmand, Bajaur, and Abbottabad, where landslides have also been reported.
The PDMA has issued a weather warning for ongoing monsoon showers, which are expected to continue intermittently until August 6. Heavy rain, with isolated very heavy falls, is forecasted for various districts including Dir, Bajaur, Chitral, Swat, Buner, and Malakand.
The alert warns of potential urban flooding in low-lying areas, flash floods in local streams, and landslides in the upper districts. Relief efforts are being coordinated by the PDMA, district administrations, and relief teams. Tourists are advised to avoid traveling to the affected areas.
