Two killed, 11 injured in rain-related incidents across KP, says PDMA

PESHAWAR: Two people died and 11 others were injured in weather-related incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, as rain and thunderstorms affected several districts and more unsettled conditions were forecast for the coming days.

According to the PDMA’s report, both deaths were reported from Mardan during rain-related incidents that took place overnight. The authority said four people were injured in Battagram, one in Mardan and six in Swat.

The report also detailed damage to homes and public infrastructure in different parts of the province. It said four houses were completely destroyed, including one in Battagram and three in Shangla. In addition, 27 houses in Shangla were partially damaged, while two houses in Swat, five in Torghar, and one each in Upper Dir and Mardan also sustained partial damage. A school in Shangla was also damaged due to the adverse weather, according to the official data.

Rainfall recorded in several districts

The PDMA’s daily weather report said the highest rainfall in the province over the previous 24 hours was recorded in Kalam, where 12 millimetres of rain was measured. Chitral received 11mm, Malam Jabba 8mm, while Saidu Sharif and Balakot each recorded 7mm.

Kakul and Mardan received 4mm each, Drosh recorded 2mm, and Parachinar, Timergara, Mirkhani and Dir each received 1mm of rainfall, the report added.

Met Office forecasts more rain till May 23

The Pakistan Meteorological Department had earlier said a westerly wave was expected to approach the northwestern parts of the country on the night of May 18 and was likely to remain active in the upper parts until May 23.

Under the influence of this system, the Met Office forecast dust-thunderstorms and rain, with isolated hailstorms, in several areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda, Peshawar, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Khyber, Kohat, Kurram, Hangu, Waziristan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Karak.

The weather system is also expected to affect parts of Punjab and Islamabad, including Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Joharabad, Bhakkar, Layyah, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot and Narowal. Gilgit-Baltistan districts including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar, as well as areas of کشمیر including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur, are also expected to receive rain with occasional gaps through May 23.

The Met Office warned that windstorms and lightning could damage vulnerable structures such as electric poles, billboards and solar panels during the forecast period. It also advised farmers to plan their activities in line with the expected dust storms and rainfall.