Heavy rain, hail disrupt life in Dir, Swat

Heavy rain accompanied by a hailstorm hit the districts of Upper Dir and Swat in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, bringing a sharp drop in temperature and causing widespread disruption.

In Dir, the downpour and hailstorm led to darkness and triggered flash floods in streams, blocking traffic on the GT Road. The intense rainfall caused erosion along roads in upper areas, leaving residents confined to their homes.

Standing crops, fruit orchards, and vehicles also suffered damage, while the power supply was disrupted across the district as the electricity system collapsed amid the storm.

In Swat, heavy rain and hail also intensified the cold. In Mingora city, the rising water level in drains and streams highlighted the poor performance of the Water and Sanitation Services Company (WSSC), with blocked drains spilling water onto roads.