Torrential rain, hailstorm claim 7 lives in K-P
Balochistan government has cancelled all leaves of government officers and directed them to ensure their presence in offices to tackle the situation. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
The relentless fury of torrential rain and heavy hailstorms wreaked havoc across various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, resulting in seven fatalities, it emerged on Saturday.
Moreover, extensive damage to crops in rural areas was also reported as a consequence of the adverse weather conditions.
Hundreds of Pesco feeders tripped, leading to prolonged power outages in various districts. Restoration efforts are currently underway to rectify the disruptions in power supply.
The onslaught, which commenced on the heels of the Meteorological Department's forecast, persisted into the following day, intensifying with successive waves of storms and hailstorms.
The calamitous weather not only obliterated numerous crops and gardens but also inflicted considerable damage on fragile infrastructure.
In Peshawar, inundation of minor roads and streets stretched from GT Road to University Town, submerged under several feet of water in low-lying areas.
The deluge prompted disruptions in essential services, with power and internet connectivity suspended amidst the downpour. In addition, the hailstorm ravaged trees, electric poles, and wires, exacerbating the chaos.
The vehicular landscape bore the brunt of nature's wrath, with windows and solar panels of vehicles suffering significant damage.
Furthermore, residential structures in outlying suburbs of Peshawar bore visible scars from the onslaught, with walls displaying signs of distress.
Rescue efforts spearheaded by Rescue 1122 are underway, with directives issued to both tourists and farmers to exercise caution during the relentless rains.
According to the meteorological department, the inclement weather has affected a vast swath of the province, with districts such as Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Balakot, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Karam, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Karak, and Waziristan experiencing strong winds, gale, thundershowers, rain, and snowfall in mountainous regions.
Moreover, sporadic hailstorms were reported in several areas, including different locales within Peshawar.
Noteworthy precipitation measurements in the region include 64 mm of rainfall in Dir Bala and 44 mm in Dir Lower over the past 24 hours. Other notable figures include 56 mm in Charat, 55 mm in Malam Jabba, 48 mm in Peshawar City, and 45 mm in Peshawar Airport.
The meteorological department has forecasted the likelihood of continued thunderstorms and hail in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, Swabi, Mardan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Balakot, Malakand, Bajaur, Kurram, and Waziristan on Sunday (today) as well.
Separately, National Highway Authority Deputy Director Ghulam Abbas stated, "The Karakoram Highway was blocked at multiple locations between Kohistan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Diamer of Gilgit Baltistan on Friday."
However, he added, "Teams were on the spot to remove landslides rubble and clear the main artery for light traffic."
“Due to [the] suspension of work at the Dassu hydropower project by Chinese companies, the rainwater inundated into the tunnel and it is blocked now. A request was made to the project officials to run the water pump installed in the tunnel to dewater it and allow the motorists [to continue],” Abbas.