K-P put on alert amid heavy rain forecast

PDMA warns of landslides, flash floods, urban flooding across province

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a warning to all districts to take precautionary measures as a new rain-making weather system is expected to enter the region. According to a notification by the PDMA, the new monsoon rains are predicted to start in various parts of K-P from Wednesday, potentially leading to landslides in mountainous districts and urban flooding in Peshawar.

The notification highlighted that the water flow in rivers and mountain streams in Swat, Kohistan, Buner, Orakzai, Chitral, Manshera, Shangla, Dir Upper and Lower, Abbottabad, Khyber, Swabi, and Peshawar might increase due to torrential downpours. There are high chances of urban flooding as a result of the downpour and heavy rains.

In response to the weather forecast, the PDMA directed all deputy commissioners to constantly monitor the flood level in rivers within their respective districts and to keep the general public away from electricity poles, signboards, and electricity cables during dust and rain storms.

Additionally, the deputy commissioners were instructed to warn local communities and tourists in hill stations within their districts to take precautionary measures. The PDMA urged all provincial departments to be on high alert to ensure the timely restoration of road links in the event of landslides or floods and to assign alternate routes to avoid traffic jams.

Furthermore, all departments were required to ensure the availability of their workers for emergency duties in the event of urban flooding, landslides, or other mass emergencies. The rain spell is expected to continue until August 7 across the province, prompting authorities to take all necessary precautions to prevent loss of life and property.

Earlier on July 26, heavy rainfall and flooding had already caused significant devastation in K-P, resulting in at least 15 fatalities and 14 injuries over the past four days. The PDMA reported extensive damage to homes, with 12 houses completely destroyed and 83 others partially damaged across various districts, including Mansehra, Upper and Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat, and Shangla.

The relentless rains triggered landslides and flash floods, wreaking havoc on the hilly terrain and causing severe disruptions to infrastructure.

In one tragic incident, two people lost their lives in a landslide in Swat. The day before, six more fatalities were reported due to rain-related incidents in two districts of K-P. Four individuals lost their lives when a roof collapsed in Mansehra, while two others were buried under a landslide in Bahrain Tehsil, Swat district.

In another heartbreaking occurrence, five people were rescued from beneath the debris of a landslide that had struck a house in the Madain area. Sadly, two of the rescued victims later succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment at a local hospital. Over the span of just two days, the death toll had risen from four on Saturday to 10 on Sunday, eventually reaching 15 by Tuesday.

The floods and heavy rains also caused significant damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and homes. Notably, the main bridge connecting Chitral to Boni, an under-construction bridge in Shamsi Khan area, and the Shringal-Kumrat road in Kalkot, Chitral, were all impacted by flooding and landslides. In Shangla, the Alpuri-Bisham main highway and roads to Spina Kada and Ranyal were also affected. The Karakorum Highway, a vital artery connecting the region, experienced disruptions as well.

In light of the ongoing weather challenges and the expected continuation of heavy rains, authorities are emphasizing the importance of preparedness and proactive measures to mitigate potential risks and protect lives and property in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2023.