Children’s lives lost in Malakand dust storm

Flash floods hit Chitral and Swabi: houses damaged, crops lost

PESHAWAR:

In the wake of recent rain-related incidents in the Dargai area of Malakand district in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), the region has been grappling with the aftermath of severe weather conditions.

Tragedy struck as two children lost their lives in separate incidents when their lives were tragically cut short due to collapsing walls amidst a fierce dust storm. These incidents serve as a grim reminder of the vulnerability that communities in the area face during extreme weather events.

The first incident unfolded as a dust storm swept through Dargai on a fateful Monday afternoon, catching local residents off guard. Two innocent children sought refuge from the impending storm near a wall in the Karkanai area. Tragically, the wall collapsed under the force of the storm, taking the life of a young girl and leaving two others injured. In another heartrending occurrence nearby, a five-year-old child lost their life as a wall gave way while they were innocently playing amidst the gusty winds.

Amidst this somber backdrop, efforts to assist the affected communities have been underway. The injured children were promptly rushed to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Dargai, where they are now in stable condition, receiving the necessary medical attention and care.

However, the toll of destruction extended beyond individual lives, as the storm wreaked havoc on local infrastructure and residences.

According to reports from the K-P Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the havoc was not confined to Dargai alone. Flash floods, triggered by heavy downpours, battered Chitral Upper and Lower districts, as well as Swabi district. In Lower Chitral, a total of 29 houses bore the brunt of the natural disaster, with two houses completely destroyed and 27 others partially damaged.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2023.