30 killed, 38 injured as relentless rains batter KP

Bureau Report

PESHAWAR: At least 30 people were killed and 38 injured in different rain-related incidents during recent floods and heavy rainfall in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Thursday.
According to a report by Provincial Disaster Management Authority Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, at least 20 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been affected by during recent spell of heavy rains and floods.
The report stated that around 15 houses were completely destroyed while 118 houses were partially damaged across the province.
Rescue operation is underway in rain and flood-affected areas while efforts are also been made to reopen all the blocked roads for traffic, said the PDMA. People have been asked to contact PDMA on its helpline 1700 in case of any emergency.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority has issued an alert about heavy rains in different parts of the province during the next 24 hours.
The rains can trigger flash floods and land sliding in hilly areas, said the PDMA in its advisory.
According to PDMA, “Monsoon currents from Bay of Bangal are likely to reach upper parts of the country during next 12 to18 hours. A westerly wave is also present over northwestern parts of the country.”
Earlier, At least 18 people have died in rain-related incidents and several others injured in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as heavy rainfall continued in the province on Wednesday.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), four houses have completely destroyed while 46 houses have been partially damaged as a result of heavy rains and floods in the province.
Four persons, including a woman, were washed away by flash floods in Swat. The dead were identified as Tahir, Fazal Wahid from Rahat Kot and Ijaz Khan from Kala Kot.
Meanwhile, all hotels and tourism spots have been closed in Swat for tourists and local administration have asked people to return back to their respective cities and avoid visiting the Swat Valley till the situation gets normal.
In Mansehra, at least four people including women and children were killed and several others were injured after a landslide triggered by heavy rains engulfed a house in Mansehra.
The PDMA teams are engaged in rescue activities in the affected areas on directives of Chief Minister Mahmood Khan.
According to the PDMA spokesman, 350 tents, 180 kitchen sets, 180 hygiene kits, 500 blankets, and 200 plastic mats were dispatched to Buner district on Tuesday. He said they had earlier sent similar items to Chitral district two days ago.
Meanwhile, the emergency operation centre of PDMA is completely operational to address complaints and any untoward situation through its helpline 1700.
Moreover, At least four people including women and children were killed and several others were injured after a landslide triggered by heavy rains engulfed a house in Mansehra district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday.
According to details, four people were died due to roof collapse in Ogi area of Hussain Banda in district Mansehra on Wednesday.
Police and eyewitnesses said the landslide was caused by heavy rains.
Rescue teams reached the spot and started the operation to recover stranded people under the rubble.
It may be noted that heavy rains continue to lash parts of KP, triggering flash floods in several areas of the province.
Two children were killed and six others received injuries in rain related incidents on Tuesday.
According to statistics issued by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), two children lost their lives in Shangla in rain-related incidents. Seven houses were partially damaged.
The PDMA further stated that efforts underway to reopen block roads due to landsliding. The authority is in contact with all district administrations and the PDMA’s emergency operation centre is also fully functional, it added.