PESHAWAR: Heavy rain coupled with thunderstorm lashed several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday, bringing down temperature and making an otherwise hot weather pleasant.

The provincial metropolis received torrential rain during the day that continued for a brief time. The rain brought the much-needed relief to the fasting people of Peshawar, which received 18-millimetre rain.

The widespread rain also lashed other districts of the province including Kohat, Chitral, Dir, Hangu, Kurram and Bannu.

According to Met office, maximum temperature recorded in Peshawar remained 38 degree Celsius while the minimum temperate was 22 degree.

Flooded streams and roads cause problems to Swat people

The residents of provincial metropolis said that unannounced power loadshedding had made life miserable for them during the holy month of Ramazan. They said that they faced problems during sehr and iftar times owing to the power outages.

They demanded of Peshawar Electric Supply Company to ensure smooth supply of electricity to them in Ramazan.

The Met office said that more rain was expected during the next 24 hours in the province. It said that the weather would remain cloudy.

In Swat, heavy rain coupled with strong wind triggered floods in different streams of Mingora and blocked roads in various areas, causing multiple issues to people.

The rain started in different areas of Swat including Mingora city during midday and caused power outages, traffic jam. The heavy rain disrupted life and swelled rivers and streams in different areas of the district.

“The torrential rain caused flood in the dry streams in Rahimabad, Amankot and Qambar. It turned roads into canals, blocking them to traffic,” said Abdullah, a resident of Rahimabad. He added that the rain also disrupted electricity in Rahimabad.

Similarly, dry nullahs, becoming strong torrents near Saidu, flooded the main Mingora-Saidu Road and caused traffic jam. The rain damaged standing crops in different areas.

According to Rescue 1122, flood water entered several houses and submerged about eight vehicles and motorbikes in Saidu Sharif area.

“The rescue team pumped out water from the houses and retrieved the vehicles,” said Shafiqa, a spokesperson for Rescue 1122.

Deputy Commissioner Junaid Khan said that he directed all the line departments including Rescue 1122 and WSSC to reach the congested and blocked areas and launch clearing operations.

In Swabi, lightning killed goats in a far-flung area of GadoonAmazai belt on Monday night.

Mohammad Khan, owner of the house in Chanai village, said that they were sleeping at night when lightening hit that section of their house where he kept the goats.

However, his family remained safe. He appealed to the district administration extend financial help to him.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2021