CHITRAL: Flash floods caused by torrential rains inundated the Kandesar and Krakal hamlets of Bumburate valley of Chitral in the early hours of Sunday, washing away a number of homes and rendering over 100 people homeless.

The mud brought by the flash flood damaged acres of wheat and maize crops and fruit orchards while a large number of boulders struck trees and homes.

Due to a pre-warning system in place, the residents had already shifted to safer places due to which no loss of life occurred, but a number of cattle were reportedly washed away by the floods.

Rafique, a resident of Kandesar village, told Dawn that heavy downpour started at midnight followed by a thunderstorm, causing flash floods which rushed to the village in no time. He said the villagers had started leaving their homes when the thunderstorm began.

He said had the rain continued for another 10 minutes the whole valley would have been washed away.

Flash floods also washed away a number of homes in Arkari valley.

Chitral Deputy Commissioner Irshad Sodhar told Dawn that the district administration officials rushed to both the Bumburate and Arkari areas with food and non-food items for the affected families.

He said the administration had been put at high alert in the wake of forecast of torrential rains in the coming days and arrangements had been made to facilitate the affected villagers.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2018