Rain-related death toll in K-P reaches 68

Recent monsoon rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) have resulted in the deaths of 68 people, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

The province has experienced heavy rainfall over the past four days, with thunderstorms predicted for most of the plains and upper districts, including Peshawar.

The continuous rain over the last two days in Peshawar and the surrounding areas has brought a noticeable change in the weather, with cloudy skies and cooler temperatures.

Bannu witnessed heavy rainfall yesterday, and the past three days have seen significant rain in Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, and parts of the Malakand Division.

The NDMA's report on the impact of the rains indicates that since the beginning of the monsoon season, 68 people have lost their lives in various incidents, including wall and roof collapses.

Additionally, 786 homes have been damaged, with over 200 completely destroyed and the remainder partially affected.

The majority of the fatalities are children, with 32 recorded deaths, while the rest include women and men. The report also states that 117 people have been injured as a result of the ongoing heavy rains.

Meanwhile, flash floods in the tourist region of Kumrat have caused extensive damage, destroying hotels, restaurants, local homes, and crops.

The main road leading to Kumrat was washed away at the Brekot point, cutting off access to the area.

Additionally, the connecting bridges at Makrala and Thal were also swept away by the floods.

According to Tehsil Nazim Kalkot, Zia-ur-Rehman, hundreds of tourists and vehicles are stranded in Kumrat. He has appealed to the provincial government for assistance in rescue and recovery efforts.

Earlier today, a landslide triggered by continuous heavy rains in Upper Dir situated in Kumrat Valley claimed the lives of all 12 members of a single family.

The incident occurred when the landslide struck a house in the Patarak area of Upper Dir district, located in the Malakand Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) province.

According to the police, the deceased includes nine children, two women, and one man.

The ongoing rain and darkness severely hampered the rescue operations.

Local residents, along with personnel from Rescue 1122 Upper Dir, police, Dir Levies, and Civil Defence, participated in the rescue efforts.

Despite the challenging conditions, all the bodies were eventually recovered from the rubble.

The police confirmed that after significant difficulties, the rescue teams were able to retrieve the bodies of those who had been trapped and killed in the landslide.

The entire community is mourning the loss of these lives, as the region continues to grapple with the impact of the relentless monsoon rains.

Heavy rains have battered India and Pakistan's coastal areas along the Arabian Sea, flooding cities in western India's Gujarat state and forcing thousands of people from their homes, with authorities predicting a cyclonic storm to develop by Friday (today).