Seven killed, 33 injured as storms lash Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

PESHAWAR: At least seven people were killed and 33 others injured in incidents linked to strong winds, lightning and rain in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past 24 hours, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority.

The PDMA said the dead included two children, four men and one woman. The incidents were reported from Bannu, Shangla and Mansehra, it added.

According to a damage assessment report issued by the authority, the casualties occurred after walls and roofs of houses gave way during heavy rain and strong winds in different areas of the province.

Weather alert remains in place

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast more rain at several places in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir on Sunday. It said most other parts of the country are likely to remain hot and dry.

The PDMA had issued an alert on Saturday for Swat, Upper Dir, Kohistan, Buner and other districts and areas in view of the prevailing weather situation. The authority also warned that a rise in temperatures after June 15 could increase the risk of snowmelt and possible flooding.

District administrations have been directed to keep alerts active in sensitive areas and advise tourists and travellers to take precautionary steps. The public has also been asked to stay away from rivers, streams and rain-fed areas during heavy rainfall. In emergencies, the PDMA said, people can contact its helpline at 1700.

Recent rain-related incidents

The latest deaths and injuries were reported days after similar weather-related incidents in the province earlier this month. The PDMA said on June 3 that two people had died and 31 others, including seven women and eight children, were injured in comparable incidents.

In that earlier spell as well, the authority said walls and roofs of houses had collapsed due to strong winds and heavy rain in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.