LANDI KOTAL: A driver was killed and two vehicles loaded with imported coal were washed away by flash flood near the Torkham border early on Friday.

Officials said that a number of vehicles loaded with both import and export goods were parked in a dry stream near the border when heavy rains lashed the bordering areas in the wee hours of Friday which also caused flash floods.

They said that the main road to the border crossing was also closed down for heavy traffic due to accumulation of heavy stones and debris brought along by the gushing rainwater. The road could not be reopened till late on Friday.

Rainwater also entered offices, shops, restaurants and warehouses near the border crossing which caused losses to the owners.

Hayatullah Shinwari, president of Torkham customs clearing agents association, told Dawn that two laptops, a printer, an internet device and currency notes of Rs300,000 at his personal office were damaged by the rainwater.

Sabir Khan, a customs clearing agent, said that boundary walls of some warehouses and shops also collapsed due to heavy rains.

Road link between Landi Kotal and Shalman was also closed due to flooding in local streams and local residents faced difficulties in moving from one locality to another.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2018