Bustling Mahandri Market turns into lake

Floods sweep away 18 shops, leave 40 damaged, resulting in heavy financial losses

BALAKOT:

Recent floods have drastically reshaped the landscape of the historic Mahandri town and Market in Kaghan Valley, turning its once-bustling bazaar into a lake. The floodwaters from Manor Nullah wreaked havoc in the area, causing severe damage to the market and local infrastructure.

The Mahandri Market suffered significant losses, with 18 shops completely swept away and over 40 others damaged, resulting in millions of rupees in losses for the local business community. The Kaghan Highway has been closed for over two weeks after the Mahandri Bridge was washed away a month ago. The formation of an artificial lake on the Kunhar River, adjacent to the market, has further endangered many shops and hotels in the area.

This disaster is not unprecedented; Mahandri Bazaar faced similar devastation from floods two years ago. Construction in the Nullah area has obstructed the river's natural flow, exacerbating the damage. The lack of enforcement of the River Protection Act, which prohibits construction within 200 feet of the river, has left the town vulnerable to such disasters.

Provincial authorities, including Speaker Babar Saleem Swati and Provincial Tourism Adviser Zahid Chanzeb, have assured the public that the government is working swiftly to restore the flood-affected areas, with efforts in Mahandri already underway.

However, a month after the disaster, the spillway remains intact, and many hotels are still submerged, highlighting the need for better enforcement of river protection laws and more effective flood management strategies.

Sources revealed that, despite the administration's implementation of Section 144 to restrict construction along the river, development continued in areas adjacent to the drains and the river, posing future risks. The artificial lake formed in Mahandri has been identified as a major cause of the destruction of Mahandri Market.

During a visit to Balakot Press Club, Speaker of Provincial Assembly Babar Saleem Swati emphasised that the provincial government has been active since the floods hit Mahandri Market. He added that following the instructions of the KP chief minister, relevant officials, including the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary, have visited the flood-affected areas to oversee the rehabilitation efforts. Restoration work in Mahandri is ongoing, with a focus on completing it as soon as possible.