LOWER SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: The death toll from rain-related incidents during the ongoing monsoon spell and flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has risen to 18, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Wednesday.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the current rain spell, which began on July 19, is expected to last till July 23 in KP.

The latest rain-related fatalities in the province were reported from Upper South Waziristan, where four people were killed in a roof collapse incident, Additional Deputy Commissioner Fazal Wadood told Dawn.

He said the incident occurred in the Bangiwala village on the outskirts of Sararogha tehsil during heavy rainfall.

The victims belonged to the same family, including a couple and their son and daughter, he added.

A report released by the PDMA this morning said that 18 people had died and 19 had been injured in rain-related incidents across the province since July 19.

The authority’s report said 23 houses had been partially damaged in rain-related incidents and seven destroyed. A total of 13 cattle perished during the four days.

In a separate statement, the KP PDMA said that water levels and flows in all rivers and streams across the province were currently normal, and all district administrations had been directed to remain on alert.

It added that people may call the helpline 1700 for information about weather conditions or in case of any untoward incident.

Landslides block Wana-Gomal Zam Road

Heavy rains have also disrupted routine life in Lower South Waziristan, with landslides blocking the Wana-Gomal Zam Road — one of the most important trade and communication routes in the region. There are also reports of flash floods damaging agricultural land in several areas.

The key route is said to have been in disrepair since February, with residents describing it as virtually unusable last month, before the monsoon season even arrived.

A district administration official confirmed the road blockage to Dawn on Wednesday following landslides.

Several residents and commuters told Dawn over the phone on Wednesday that large boulders had fallen from mountains at several points along the road, while deep potholes had developed at various locations. They said several culverts, bridges and protection walls had also been damaged, making travel difficult and risky for motorists.

They called on the authorities to take immediate steps to reopen the road and restore traffic.

Later, Lower South Waziristan Communication and Works Engineer Ikram Wazir told Dawn that an operation to clear the road had been initiated, in which tractors were being employed.

The official said the road had been severely damaged at several locations due to intense flooding. “The restoration work is currently under way,” he said, estimating that the road would be reopened for traffic by Thursday.

Meanwhile, Ahmadzai Wazir tribal elders residing in the region, while speaking to Dawn, urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other relevant authorities to take immediate measures for the reconstruction of the Wana-Gomal Zam Road.

The elders said the road had been in disrepair for a long time and was often closed even after moderate rainfall because of its poor condition.

In another development, there were also reports of flash floods in various areas of Lower South Waziristan. District administration officials told Dawn that high flows were reported in the Tanai and Spin streams following the rainfall.

Govt reviews monsoon preparedness

Separately, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal posted on X that he chaired the third meeting of the Emergency Response Committee at the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC) on Wednesday to review the country’s preparedness for the ongoing monsoon season.

The minister said the meeting, attended by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik and representatives of relevant federal ministries, reviewed provincial preparedness, relief supplies and drainage systems in detail.

“The NEOC is monitoring the weather situation round the clock, and I have issued strict instructions to all departments, including the Water and Power Development Authority, […] to remain on high alert,” the minister said.

“Our utmost priority is to protect the life of every citizen, safeguard vulnerable areas, and ensure swift relief operations in any emergency situation,” he said.