Flood alert sounded as heavy rains batter KP, 120 people rescued in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: Heavy rains triggered flooding, roof collapses and widespread damage across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, prompting rescue operations in multiple districts, according to officials.

Rescue 1122 issued a flood advisory for low-lying areas of Peshawar along the Budhni nullah after several neighbourhoods were inundated on Saturday.

Rescue spokesman Bilal Ahmad Faizi said the Budhni nullah reached a mid-level flood, with water discharge recorded at 12,729 cusecs. At least 120 people were rescued from affected localities.

Rescue teams were deployed to drain water from areas including Safia Homes, Warsak Road, Shaheen Housing, Budhni Pul, Sardar Colony, Board Bazaar, Bara Pul and Umar Gul Road.

Authorities also warned residents living near the nullah and low-lying areas along the Kabul River to remain cautious. In Nowshera, the river was reported at a low flood level with a discharge of 62,200 cusecs.

In Khyber tribal district, rain-related incidents claimed four lives and damaged at least 50 houses in Landi Kotal tehsil over two days. Three people, including a father and son, died after their vehicle was swept away by flash floods in Walikhel. Their bodies were later recovered in the Ali Masjid area.

A minor boy was killed in a roof collapse in Alacha. Reports of wall and house collapses were also received from Khugakhel, Peerokhel, Zakhakhel, Meerdadkhel and parts of Jamrud.

In Bannu district, a woman and two children were injured when a roof collapsed in the Lora Pul area of Miryan tehsil. Rescue teams shifted them to hospital, where the children were reported to be in critical condition.

Emergency teams also evacuated stranded nomadic families from the flooded Khani Kla area.

In Mohmand district, strong winds and heavy rain overnight injured six people and caused extensive property and livestock losses. A room collapse in Kamali Wazir Dag injured three women and three girls.

In separate incidents, a veranda collapse in Mazrina village killed 21 goats and sheep, while another structure collapse in Pandiali tehsil killed two sheep. Officials said damage was reported across several tehsils.

In Dera Ismail Khan, strong winds uprooted trees, disrupted traffic and suspended power supply in multiple areas. A building roof collapse in Sheikh Yousaf Adda buried eight vehicles, while a solar system was also damaged.

Fallen trees blocked roads across the city, worsening traffic conditions. Power outages were reported on several feeders. A landslide in Darazinda tehsil also blocked a key road, leaving travellers stranded for hours.

A hailstorm in Sardariwala Chashma raised concerns among farmers about potential crop damage.

In Hazara Division, snowfall in upper areas after more than a month brought a sharp drop in temperatures. Snowfall was reported in Kaghan, Manoor, Siren and Konsh valleys in Mansehra, as well as Spat and Kandia valleys in Kohistan.

Rainfall in Mansehra, Torghar, Upper and Lower Kohistan and Kolai-Palas triggered landslides that blocked link roads connecting remote villages.

In Lakki Marwat, torrential rains caused flooding in low-lying areas, with water from the Gambila River entering homes in Baghban and Khoidadkhel. Residents were evacuated as a precaution.

Rescue teams helped move valuables from submerged houses, while others shifted to relatives’ homes amid fears of further flooding.

In Karak district, a 45-year-old woman and a five-year-old boy were injured in a roof collapse in Ghundi Mirankhel.

Flash flooding also disrupted traffic between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab on the Lakki-Darra Tang section of Bannu-Mianwali Road.

Rescue 1122 established an emergency response point near Gambila Bridge to monitor water levels and respond to any incidents.

In Kurram, floodwaters washed away a road near Samir Basto Bridge, cutting off access for thousands of residents.

In Bajaur, a 16-year-old boy was injured when the roof of his house collapsed in Lowi Mamund tehsil.

Authorities have yet to release a comprehensive assessment of the damage, while rescue and drainage operations continue across affected districts.