Flash floods strand hundreds in Lower Chitral, over 200 rescued

Rescue operation continued for six hours across affected areas of Kalkatak, Kaldam Gol, Soir, Ashirat

PESHAWAR:

More than 200 stranded passengers were rescued late Tuesday night after flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains blocked several sections of the Drosh–Ashirat road in Lower Chitral, according to Rescue 1122.

The flooding, accompanied by torrents of mud and debris, rendered the road impassable at multiple locations, leaving several passenger vehicles stranded.

According to Rescue 1122, no casualties or injuries were reported.

Rescue 1122 Lower Chitral launched an emergency operation under the supervision of the District Emergency Officer after receiving reports of the incident.

Rescuers stationed at the Sheshikoh and Bregnesar watch posts, acting as first responders, immediately began rescue efforts. Additional emergency teams were later dispatched from the district headquarters to reinforce the operation.

The rescue operation continued for six hours in the affected areas of Kalkatak, Kaldam Gol, Soir, and Ashirat.

During the operation, rescue teams safely evacuated more than 200 passengers to secure locations. They also recovered four passenger vehicles trapped in debris and moved them to safe areas, enabling all stranded travellers to continue their journeys safely.

Read: Rain-related incidents kill nine, injure 28 across K-P, Punjab

The operation involved 20 Rescue 1122 personnel, three ambulances, and one disaster response vehicle.

Rescue officials said they remained in close coordination with the National Highway Authority (NHA) and the district administration throughout the operation to support efforts to reopen the road and ensure public safety.

According to the Met Office, over the past 24 hours, the highest rainfall was recorded in Mirkhani in Lower Chitral, where 33mm of rain was received, while Drosh recorded 3mm.

K-P forecast

Most districts in the province are expected to remain hot and dry on Wednesday, with the plains likely to experience severe heat and humid conditions, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department.

However, the Met Office forecasted rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms in several parts of the province, including Upper and Lower Dir, Upper and Lower Chitral, Swat, Shangla, Malakand, and Buner.

Similar weather is also expected at isolated places in Bajaur, Upper and Lower Kohistan, Kolai-Palas, Torghar, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Haripur.

Rain and thunderstorms are also likely in Mardan, Swabi, Mohmand, Khyber, Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, Hangu, Kurram, Orakzai, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Dera Ismail Khan.

The districts of Tank, North Waziristan, and South Waziristan are also expected to receive rain with gusty winds and thunderstorms at isolated locations.

The Met Office warned that some areas could experience dust storms and heavy rainfall during the forecast period.

Maximum temperatures recorded on Tuesday were 41°C in Dera Ismail Khan, 40°C in Bannu and Peshawar, 36°C in Chitral, 28°C in Kalam, and 26°C in Malam Jabba.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (K-P) reported on July 2 that seven people were killed and 19 were injured after roofs and walls of houses collapsed during heavy rain, windstorms, and flash floods over the past 48 hours,

"The dead included two men, four children, and one woman, while the injured comprised seven men, one woman, and 11 children," it added.

The PDMA said 38 houses were damaged, including 36 that sustained partial damage and two that were destroyed, adding that the incidents were reported in the districts of Khyber, Lower Dir, Mardan, Shangla, Bajaur, Lower Chitral, and Upper Dir.