Two killed in rain-related incidents

Published December 13, 2017
A man removes snow from his vehicle after snowfall in Upper Dir on Tuesday. — Photo by Syed Zahid Jan
A man removes snow from his vehicle after snowfall in Upper Dir on Tuesday. — Photo by Syed Zahid Jan

HARIPUR: Two people were killed and two others suffered injuries in the inclement weather- related incidents in Haripur and Tank district on Tuesday as rains and snow continued to lash parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and adjoining tribal areas for the second consecutive day.

Khushi Mohammad died after the roof of his dilapidated room in a mud house collapsed in Mohallah Awanabad Qazian of Haripur. The deceased was taking a nap when the incident occurred.

The villagers pulled out the body from under the debris after an effort of half an hour.

In another incident, Mistri Noor died of critical injuries after his motorcycle slipped on a flooded road due to heavy rains on the outskirts of Tank city.

Also in the day, a couple suffered injuries after their house was struck by lightning in Nurpur village of Haripur.

The local residents shifted the injured, including Kabirur Rehman and wife Sadia Bibi, to the local rural health centre, where the doctors declared their condition to be out of danger. The police said the lightning destroyed household items.

Also, partial damage to mud houses and minor injuries to their inhabitants were reported in remote areas of Khanpur, Ghazi and Nara Amazai areas.

A cold wave swept the region as the mountainous areas of Upper Dir district received the first snowfall of the winter season on Tuesday and continued to see rain for the second consecutive day.

The snowfall began early in the morning and continued all through the day intermittingly in Lowari Top, Kumrat, Thal, Kalkot, Doog Dara, Qulandi, Brawal and adjoining areas.

It snowed on the Lowari Top up to three feet, while Kumrat, Thal, Kalkot, Doog Dara, Brawal and others areas received snowfall from six inches to one and a half feet.

Rain continued in Dir town and other plain areas of the district for the second consecutive day.

The Dir Upper Met Office said Dir had received 30 millimeters rain in the last 24 hours.

The rains and snowfall adversely affected life in the district.

The chilly weather caused low attendance in schools and offices, while fewer people went shopping.

Tourists remained stuck in Galiyat and other areas of Abbottabad due to closure of roads after snowfall.

According to the Met Office, two-three feet snow fell in Galiyat.

The Galiyat Development Authority says it is making all possible efforts to clear snow from roads.

The National Highway Authority failed to clear the Abbottabad-Murree Road of snow and help the stranded tourists reach out to their destinations.

The link roads also remained closed in Galiyat region, while the area had no electric supply for the last two days.

The Pesco officials said the restoration of electricity would take a couple of days.

Members of the Nathiagali union council criticised the local authorities for delay in the clearing of the Abbottabad-Murree Road and Ayubia Road.

The heavy snowfall cut off Thandiani and Bakot areas from the rest of the country prompting the troubled local residents to ask the communication and works department to clear the road without delay.

Low gas pressure was reported in Abbottabad.

The local administration announced that the gas supply to CNG stations will remain suspended from 6am to 9am and from 4pm to 9pm daily to facilitate domestic consumers.

The heavy snowfall continued on the second consecutive day in Shangla district.

One foot snowfall was reported in upper parts of the district, while the mercury plunged below zero centigrade.

The snow started falling in Shangla on Monday and continued until Tuesday evening. Alpuri, Bely Baba, Dherai and Lelonai received snowfall until Tuesday evening.

About one foot snowfall was recorded in Yakhtangay, Shangla Top, Olander and other areas of the district.

Snow blanketed Yakhtangay valley, a tourist place in Shangla.

The heavy snowfall blocked link roads in the district, while many areas plunged into darkness due to electricity suspension.

Meanwhile, the cold wave gripped Bajaur Agency after heavy snowfall and continuation of rain for the second consecutive day on Tuesday.

The local residents complained about closure of roads, shortage of firewood and LPG, and suspension of electricity.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...