Storms kill several in Swabi, Mardan

Floods hit Shangla; lightning and rain leave multiple injured in K-P

MARDAN/SHANGLA:

Severe stormy winds, heavy rain and lightning strikes caused multiple casualties and injuries in Swabi and Mardan of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Sunday evening. Rescue teams rushed to affected areas and authorities urged caution.

In Swabi, intense thunderstorm activity accompanied by strong winds and rain led to several tragic incidents. An investigation police official, Naeem Khan, was killed on the spot after lightning struck a house in the Turlandi area. His two brothers, Tayyab and Zareef, sustained serious injuries.

In another incident in the Baja locality, a 45-year-old woman lost her life when a wall of her house collapsed. Similar incidents of collapsing walls and boundary structures were reported from multiple areas, including Shewa, where a young man was injured.

In Yar Hussain, two people were hurt after a signboard fell during the storm, while in Kalu Khan, a child was injured when a solar panel structure collapsed. Rescue teams promptly reached the affected locations and shifted the deceased and injured to nearby hospitals for medical assistance.

Meanwhile, in Mardan, at least two people lost their lives and six others were injured in separate incidents caused by the powerful windstorm and deteriorating weather conditions. According to rescue sources, strong winds led to the fall of walls and shop shutters in various areas, resulting in casualties.

The deceased were identified as Usman, a resident of Gujar Garhi, and 17-year-old Osama from Totkalay. Usman died instantly when a wall collapsed on him, while Osama suffered critical injuries after a shop shutter fell on him and later succumbed to his wounds.

Rescue officials confirmed that six injured individuals, including a minor boy and a 10-year-old girl, received immediate medical aid and were shifted to hospitals.

Some of the injured were reported to be in critical condition. Eyewitnesses described the storm as extremely severe, stating that signboards, trees, and weak structures collapsed across several areas, while electricity supply was also disrupted in multiple localities.

Residents called on district administrations to take urgent action against dilapidated buildings and unsafe structures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Rescue and district administration teams remained engaged in relief operations across affected areas. They advised citizens to avoid unnecessary movement outdoors during the ongoing adverse weather.

Floods in Shangla

Meanwhile, a devastating flash flood triggered by torrential rains has caused widespread destruction in the remote Kana Valley of Shangla, washing away more than a dozen houses and severing road links with other areas, creating an emergency-like situation.

Floodwaters swept through the valley following intense rainfall, destroying homes and damaging several others. Many families have been left homeless and are now stranded under the open sky without basic necessities.

Heavy rains caused sudden and powerful flash floods that severely damaged roads, bridges, and infrastructure. The main road connecting Kana Valley to other areas along with several link roads, has been washed away at multiple points, completely cutting off ground access.

Local residents Fazal Ali and Younas Shah reported that over 20 small hydropower units, water mills, and small business centres were also swept away, resulting in significant economic losses for the community.

Agricultural lands, orchards, and standing crops have also been badly affected, while electricity and communication systems have reportedly suffered extensive damage.

Residents said the floods struck suddenly during the night amid darkness, thunder, and intense storm conditions, leaving people with little time to react. Women, children, and the elderly fled in fear and panic to safer places.

Several families are still awaiting assistance, while shortages of food, medicines, and clean drinking water have emerged in the affected areas.

Locals have appealed to the district administration, Rescue 1122, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, and the provincial government to launch immediate relief operations and provide rescue teams, machinery, and medical aid on an emergency basis to prevent further losses.

Officials said the situation in affected areas is being assessed, and relevant departments have been put on alert. However, continuous rainfall and road blockages are posing serious challenges to relief operations.

(WITH INPUT FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT IN SWABI)