MANSEHRA: Flash floods triggered by continued rainfall on Wednesday swept away a section of the main road and the central bridge over Siyal Dara Nullah, disconnecting Kandia tehsil from the rest of Upper Kohistan district.

“The torrential outflow has washed away a portion of the Kandia road along with the bridge at Siyal Dara Nullah. We’ve initiated emergency measures to reconnect the valley with the district via alternative routes,” Upper Kohistan deputy commissioner Tariq Ali Khan told reporters.

He said a revenue team led by the local tehsildar had been dispatched to assess the damage and report on the situation caused by the relentless rains in Kandia tehsil.

Mr Khan added that the district administration remained in close contact with the provincial disaster management authority (PDMA) to coordinate relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 teams in Mansehra have been placed on high alert amid the fresh spell of rain across the district.

According to a press release issued by district emergency officer Ibrar Ali, rescue teams, including divers, have been deployed along rivers and streams to prevent people—especially children—from venturing too close to the water.

He urged parents to supervise their children and ensure they stayed away from water bodies during the monsoon.

“Our control room, equipped with the necessary human resources and equipment for monsoon emergencies, is operational 24/7. Citizens can reach out any time in case of an emergency,” Mr Ali added.

THREE PERSONS RESCUED: Three people were trapped in the middle of the Indus River due to a sudden rise in water level at the Hund area, said a press release issued on Wednesday.

When contacted, Luqman Khan, one of the rescue officials, told Dawn that as soon as the incident was reported, the Rescue 1122 team reached the spot and launched the rescue operation to save the three people. The trapped people belonged to Hund area and they went to the dry area in the middle of the river to enjoy the pleasant weather, however, as the spillways of Tarbela Dam were opened they got trapped in the floodwaters.

All the three people were safely rescued due to the timely action of rescue teams and the expert divers. However, the Rescue 1122 official expressed deep anguish that despite various warnings and campaigns, people put their lives at risk, saying that they should follow the instructions of the relevant departments, particularly during the monsoon season.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2025