LOWER DIR: Firefighting operations continued for the third consecutive day on Monday to control wildfires in the mountainous areas of Bar Charai Talash in Lower Dir, officials said.

Rescue officials said strong winds, intense heat, rising flames and difficult terrain were hampering efforts to extinguish the fires.

Due to the absence of access roads, fire vehicles could not reach the affected areas, forcing rescue workers and volunteers to trek through rugged mountains to carry out the operation.

Officials said personnel from Rescue 1122, the forest department, civil defence and local volunteers were using traditional techniques to prevent the fire from spreading.

Rescue 1122 district emergency officer Sanaullah supervised the operation, while the civil defence operation in charge, Nizamuddin and volunteers also took part in the firefighting efforts.

Meanwhile, officials said firefighters had succeeded in bringing a wildfire in the Kalu Manai mountain range under control after three days of continuous efforts, while another blaze in the nearby Sarai Bala hills was yet to be extinguished.

A Rescue 1122 official, requesting anonymity, said controlling the fire remained difficult due to harsh weather conditions and inaccessible terrain. He also complained about a lack of cooperation from residents and forest owners during the operation.

Body still untraced

A search operation entered its third day on Monday to trace the body of a man who drowned in the Panjkora River in the Khall area of the Lower Dir district.

Despite a ban imposed by the district administration on swimming and collecting wood from the Panjkora River, at least three people have drowned in separate incidents in Lower Dir over the last week, rescue officials and residents said.

Rescue 1122 officials said the body of a young man, who had drowned in the Panjkora River in the Bibyore area of Upper Dir a few days ago, was recovered from the Rani area in Lower Dir on Sunday.

The body of an 18-year-old youth, who drowned in the river at Sadu Gat on May 20, was recovered on Monday after hectic efforts.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2026