Weather woes: Flash floods in Lower Dir wash away bridge

Route to Chitral through Lowari Top closed due to inclement weather.

TIMERGARA: Flash floods triggered by heavy rain in Lower and Upper Dir washed away a connecting bridge on Monday.

According to Timergara Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Ayaz, the region has been receiving heavy rain for the past three days which resulted in the overflowing of Panjkota River. The ensuing flash flood washed away a connecting bridge in Odigram.

“The river overflowed in Barun, Rabat, Odigram, and Hajiabad areas and other surrounding areas, destroying orange orchards,” shared Ayaz.



He added if rainfall continues at the same rate, the district administration will have to declare an emergency in the next 24 hours. “Most of the land along the river bank is flooded, however, the water is still at a distance from residential areas,” claimed Ayaz.

Meanwhile, Karakoram Highway remained blocked for traffic in Shangla district due to landslides. Snowfall accompanied by heavy rain lashed Upper Shangla, washing away dilapidated roads in Besham and Alpuri. Up to three inches of snow was recorded in Upper Shangla.

According to a meteorological department official in Peshawar, heavy snowfall occurred in Upper Dir, Chitral and Upper Swat. He added the route to Chitral through Lowari Top has also been closed because of the weather.

Elsewhere, heavy rain created havoc in Parachinar, headquarters of Kurram Agency. In Parachinar city, the houses of Jan Hussain and Akhtar Ali collapsed, while several reports of mud houses collapsing were also received from remote areas of the agency. Fortunately, no human loss occurred.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18^th, 2014.