UPPER DIR: Heavy downpour caused flash floods, sweeping away several houses and injuring two persons in Kalkot area of Upper Dir on Thursday night. The floods also blocked the Dir-Kumrat Road, stranding hundreds of tourists who were returning after visiting the scenic Kumrat valley.

The two injured persons were shifted to a hospital in Peshawar due to their precarious condition.

The floodwater also damaged a portion of the main road as rubble brought by the floods got accumulated on it. Heavy boulders rolling down from mountains also damaged the main artery.

Long queues of vehicles with passengers on board, including tourists, were seen on both sides of the road in Kalkot. The floodwater entered houses at midnight, terrifying the inmates who ran away for safer places, said Saifur Rehman, a local. He said the flash flood also damaged shops. However, no human loss was reported.

According to reports, residents residing along riverbanks and streams have left their houses due to fear of further flash floods. It merits a mention here that PDMA has issued warning of flash floods in several areas, including Upper Dir, during monsoon season.

The flash flood also damaged standing crops and fruit orchards.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2019