Torrential downpour: Heavy rainfall causes loss of life, property across province

Three of a family die as roof caves in, five children swept away at Jalozai camp.

NOWSHERA/ PESHAWAR:

Heavy rainfall caused much chaos in Peshawar, killing three people of a family, while injuring 15 others. Around 80mm of rain was reported in some parts of the city.

“We are in close contact with all the districts and are monitoring the situation,” said Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director-General Shahzad Bangash.

Rainwater flooded in low lying areas, forcing residents to vacate the lower floors of their houses as water gushed in. By about 4am, many streets looked like small rivers as sewers clogged.

Water also damaged property in many areas and at least 15 people were injured by various mishaps caused by the rain. In Mohallah Tapu Charkha Khel, Landi Arbab, a roof of a house caved in, killing three family members and injuring several others, a police official said.

Meanwhile in Nothia Jadid, a rusty roof of a building caved in, severely injuring three more of a family.

Many motorists all over the city were left stranded. According to Rescue 1122 official Muhammad Tanveer, 12 vehicles had to be pulled out by a crane from flooded streets in Mattani.

Parts of the city, from Motorway Chowk to Shershah Suri Bridge, received at least 39mm of rain, according to officials at the Met office. Severe flooding of streets was also reported in Cantonment, where water entered shopping malls and residential areas.

Various businesses on University Road were also affected. In the Peshawar Press Club, over two dozen computers and other electronic devices were damaged as their basement was filled with almost five feet of water.

Shahi Khatta, which receives almost 60% of the city’s sewage water overflowed, damaging houses and goods in adjacent shops.

Various localities in the city, including Gulbhar, Nishtarabad, Faqirabad, Kohat Road and Charsadda Road, have been flooded at least three times in less than two months, mainly due to an old and inefficient sewage system.

Five children drown in Jalozai camp

Five children were swept away by floodwater as heavy rainfall hit the Jalozai IDP camp.

Gulbat Khan Afridi, a senior member of the IDPs council, said that three children were found but two were still missing.

Namdar Khan, whose children Shakirullah and Tahirullah, were saved from floodwater, said that camp officials arrived five hours after the flood which was too late for them to take any action. Zarmina, daughter of Zamin Jan, was also rescued from the flood.

Gulab Shah, another senior member of the council, said that the search for the two missing children was still underway.

Additionally, hundreds of tents were washed away, while people ran to take their children to safer grounds. Internally displaced persons began protesting after the incident and demanded the provincial government take action against camp authorities.

Later in the day, chief coordinator of IDPs visited the camp to replace the damaged tents and provide emergency aid, said the PDMA spokesperson.

Meanwhile in Lower Dir, hundreds of acres of cultivated land were submerged when River Panjkora overflowed its banks. The union council of Sultan Khel was flooded when the water level of a nearby stream rose beyond its banks and submerged most of the area in Upper Dir. Residents have begun collecting their valuables to flee from the area.

Waziristan

Heavy rainfall in mountainous regions near the Durand Line caused flooding in rivers Tuchee, Kurram and Ketho, all passing through North Waziristan.

Water from Ketho damaged a large area of fertile land in the Spin Wam village of Mira Ali sub-division. Due to flooding in the village, a 3-year-old girl, was killed.

Disaster management authorities were unable to gather further information from the district government as communication systems were down.

Until Thursday night, the government had failed to create a report on the situation in the area, despite a 16 hour lapse since reports of flooding surfaced.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2012.