MANSEHRA: Flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains killed four people, including two minor girls, destroyed houses and blocked roads in several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday night and Monday.

The wall of a house collapsed in Upper Channia area of Mansehra district leaving Mohammad Zeeshan, 25, buried under the debris.

The Rescue 1122 personnel recovered the body.

Mohammad Farhan, 9, died after his house was inundated by floodwaters in Pano Dehri area. The downpour flooded a local stream inundating dozen of houses in the area and adjoining localities.

Houses destroyed, roads blocked in Abbottabad, Mansehra and Dir

The residents spent the night in the open fearing for their lives.

The Rescue 1122 personnel rescued 18 people trapped in floodwaters in Mansehra city and its suburbs. They included women and children.

Cars were swept away by flash floods in Loharband and Nari mohallahs and adjoining areas. The landslides caused by rains blocked roads in Siren and Konsh valleys.

In Daro Maidan area of Lower Dirdistrict, two girls, including Alia, 8, and Marwa, 10, were killed and a boy, Nauman, 2, was injured after their two-room mud house collapsed due to heavy rainfall on Sunday night.

Landsides blocked many roads, including the main Darband-Thakot Road.

In Abbottabad, floodwaters blocked roads and inundated government buildings, including Ayub Medical Complex, on Sunday night.

The downpour caused traffic jams on Karakorum Road and link roads, while the rainwater entered houses and damaged goods.

Hassan Town, Bilal Town, Sir Syed Colony, Lambidheri, Thar Kana Chowk, Supply, Kala Pul, Stylo Street, Shah Zaman Colony, main PMA Road and wards of the Ayub Medical Complex were also flooded.

Staff members of the ATH moved patients out of flooded wards. Power outage was also reported with the administration promising the early restoration of electric supply.

The flash floods damaged the Ayub Bridge in Havelian area causing traffic diversion from the KKH Highway to the Old Bridge. The suspension of electric supply for several hours was also reported. However, it was restored early on Monday.

The residents said several cattle were killed in Shah Zaman Colony after a wall fell on them during torrential rain. The wall collapse in a parking area damaged eight vehicles and 14 motorcycles.

The Rescue 1122 personnel shifted 62 people from flooded areas to safe places and six patients to the hospital after giving them first aid. The floodwater damaged goods in markets and shops on the main KKH, especially in Supply, Mandian, Jhangi Seydan and adjoining areas.

Rivers and streams swelled in other parts of Hazara division damaging houses.

The first spell of monsoon rains lashed Battagram district in the wee hours of Monday.

The rainwater inundated roads and streets and entered shops in bazaars due to clogged sewers damaging goods.

The residents criticised the tehsil municipal administration over poor drainage and waste disposal system. They complained that roads and streets were flooded even if it rained lightly.

APP adds: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has declared Charssada, DI Khan, Shangla, Upper Dir, Nowshera, Swat and Upper and Lower Chitral the high-risk districts during the ongoing monsoon spell.

In a news release issued here on Monday, the PDMA said its monsoon contingency plan developed in consultation of district administrations, provincial and federal authorities and development partners was meant to ensure timely response to the calamity and minimise hazards, vulnerabilities and risks.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2021