PESHAWAR: At least 22 people have died and 23 others have been injured in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since July 19 due to heavy rains and flash floods, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported on Thursday.
According to PDMA, the fatalities include 9 men, 10 children and 3 women. Among the injured are 11 men, five women and seven children. The downpours triggered roof and wall collapses and swept away homes, causing widespread damage.
PDMA said a total of 37 houses were affected 29 partially damaged and eight completely destroyed. The incidents were reported from 18 districts across the province, including 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.
PDMA stated that Rescue 1122, district administrations and relevant departments are in contact and relief operations are ongoing. DG PDMA has directed district administrations in affected areas to expedite relief activities and provide immediate assistance and relief goods to victims.
The authority added that the water level and flow in all rivers and streams of the province are currently normal. However, the current spell of heavy rain is likely to continue intermittently until today.
PDMA has already issued directives to all district administrations to remain on high alert. In an advisory, PDMA urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel and refrain from visiting vulnerable tourist spots, and to follow alerts issued by government agencies.
PDMA’s Emergency Operation Center is fully functional. Citizens can contact the toll-free helpline 1700 for updates on weather conditions and to report any untoward incident, the PDMA spokesperson said.
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