Nine killed, 23 injured in rain-related incidents across KP in 48 hours

PESHAWAR: At least nine people were killed and 23 others injured in rain-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the last 48 hours as the first spell of monsoon rains, accompanied by strong winds and flash floods, caused damage in several districts, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

In a report, the PDMA director general said the weather-related incidents also damaged at least 41 houses in different parts of the province. The official identified the affected areas as Khyber, Lower Dir, Mardan, Shangla, Bajaur, Lower Chitral, Dera Par and other districts.

The PDMA director general said district administrations had been instructed to step up relief work and extend immediate assistance to families affected by the rains and flooding.

NDMA warns of further hazards

Separately, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had a day earlier warned of elevated risks of glacial lake outburst floods, flash floods, landslides and urban flooding in northern and central parts of the country from July 1 to 4.

According to an advisory issued by the NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), rising temperatures along with an active monsoon system and westerly waves are expected to bring heavy rainfall and speed up glacier melt.

The NEOC urged authorities to remain on high alert and asked the public to strictly follow official safety instructions during the forecast period.

The authority also said glacier-adjacent areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir face a heightened risk of glacial lake outburst floods because of accelerated glacier melting linked to high temperatures and the forecast of heavy rain.

The latest casualties and damage were reported as monsoon weather affected multiple parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with officials warning that further rain-related hazards could emerge in vulnerable areas during the ongoing weather spell.