CHITRAL: Flash floods triggered by torrential rains wreaked havoc in the lower parts of the Chitral valley in the early hours of Monday, washing away houses, shops and two mosques, and inundating freshly-cultivated maize crop and fruit orchards in Broze, Orghoch and Sheshi Koh villages.

Lower Chitral deputy commissioner Mohammad Imran Khan told Dawn that no loss of life was caused by the flood triggered by heavy rains as people were evacuated to safer places thanks to the early warning system.

He said that soon afterwards food and non-food items were rushed to the affected villages and relief activities were started on emergency basis by the personnel of Chitral Levies and water supply schemes were restored.

Imran Khan said that the debris of the flash flood closed the Chitral-Peshawar Road early in the morning in Broze village, which was immediately opened to vehicular traffic after removing the debris from it.

Mr Imran said that a mosque each in Broze and Sheshi Koh areas was among the houses and shops washed away in the affected villages.

The deputy commissioner said revenue staff of the district administration had been deputed to the affected villages for assessment of the damage to houses, agricultural fields and fruit orchards as well the cattle that perished during the flood.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2024