Heavy Rains and Landslides Devastate Pakistan, 24 Dead

Peshawar/Islamabad, Aug 15 (PTI) – Heavy rains have tragically claimed the lives of at least 24 individuals and left many missing across various regions of Pakistan, officials reported on Friday. In the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, districts such as Lower Dir, Bajaur, and Abbottabad experienced torrential rains on Thursday night, which led to flash floods and landslides, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 residents and injuries to eight others, as per rescue officials. In Lower Dir's Maidan Sori Pao area, a house's roof collapsed, leading to five fatalities and injuring four more, including women and children. Rescue teams managed to retrieve seven individuals from the rubble, with five tragically pronounced deceased. The Panjkora River's water level has risen alarmingly due to relentless rainfall, according to officials. The Bajaur district faced severe devastation due to flash floods and landslides in the Jabrari and Salarzai areas. Local sources reported the recovery of nine bodies and four injured persons, while at least 17 others remain missing. A cloudburst hit Jabrari village, causing massive flooding and several injuries. Rescue teams quickly arrived, retrieved five bodies, and transported the injured to a local hospital for first aid. Bajaur’s District Emergency Officer, Amjad Khan, is directing the ongoing rescue operations. Deputy Commissioner Shahid Ali confirmed nine fatalities in the Salarzai incident, with two critically injured individuals moved to Khar Hospital. In Mansehra, two lives were lost, and one person was injured when a car was swept away by a swollen stream on the Kaghan Highway at Basyan point. Authorities managed to rescue three more individuals and have advised tourists to avoid unnecessary travel during the prevailing rains. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has mandated the deployment of all available resources for rescue and relief operations. Both the Malakand Commissioner and Bajaur Deputy Commissioner have received orders to personally oversee the rescue efforts. A helicopter has been deployed to aid the ongoing rescue missions. The Chief Minister has also issued high alerts to district administrations, particularly in Dir and Swat, urging them to implement comprehensive precautionary measures to protect lives and property during the severe weather conditions. In Gilgit-Baltistan, flash floods have resulted in the death of at least eight people, while two remain missing in the Ghizer district, according to officials. The floods have inflicted damage on over a dozen houses, as well as several vehicles, schools, and health units, concurrently obstructing key roads such as the Karakoram Highway and Baltistan Highway at several junctures. Major disruptions have also occurred in the northeastern Neelum Valley, prompting the relocation of tourists to safer areas. More than 600 tourists camping at the Ratti Gali lake base were advised to stay put after the link road suffered damage. The floods destroyed two connecting bridges over Lawat Nullah, while the raging Jagran Nullah demolished a bridge in Kundal Shahi. A scenic riverside restaurant and at least three houses were also swept away. In the Jhelum Valley, a violent cloudburst over Palhot triggered a flash flood, affecting sections of the road and leaving numerous vehicles stranded. As the Neelum River rises swiftly, authorities have issued a flood warning and intend to relocate vulnerable families living near the riverside. In Pakistan-administered Kashmir's Muzaffarabad district, a massive landslide in Sarli Sacha village buried a home, leaving six family members feared dead. In PoK's Sudhnoti district, a 26-year-old man was swept away by a stream, resulting in his death, while a 57-year-old woman died in Bagh district when her home collapsed. PTI AYZ/SH SCY SCY

Published: August 15, 2023

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