PARACHINAR & SHANGLA, CHITRAL: Sixteen people were injured in rain-related incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as continuous downpour wreaked havoc in various districts, damaging properties and disrupting travel.
In Parachinar, ongoing rains over the past week caused mud-houses to collapse, leaving at least 10 people injured. Flooded seasonal streams blocked alternative routes, cutting off thousands of residents as the main Parachinar-Peshawar road has remained closed over the past two years. Residents and stranded commuters in Lower Kurram’s Alizai area staged protests, demanding the relevant officials to reopen the highway. Officials said efforts were underway to restore access, while the Provincial Disaster Management Authority was collecting data about the rain losses.
The residents along with stranded passengers and drivers staged a protest in the Alizai area of Lower Kurram, demanding the reopening of the main highway for traffic.Protesters said people, including women and children, were stranded on roads for hours with no relief in sight.
A driver Bismillah said he was traveling from Peshawar to Parachinar but got stranded due to road closure and flooding. Another driver, Aqil Hussain, alleged that only influential individuals were being allowed to use the main road, while ordinary citizens remained stuck.
In Shangla, a passenger vehicle traveling from Gilgit to Dir plunged into a ravine near Alpuri Board due to slippery roads after heavy rainfall, injuring six people.Rescue 1122 personnel retrieved the injured and took them to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) Alpuri for treatment.
The injured were identified as Inam, Sajidullah, Sanaullah, Habibullah, Zakariya, and Hafeezullah, all from Upper Dir.Authorities warned locals to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from weak structures and flooded streams, and exercise caution during adverse weather.
Residents urged the district administration to ensure safety measures on key roads during inclement weather and to advise drivers to take precautionary steps to prevent loss of precious lives.
In Chitral, intermittent rainfall continued in Chitral city and its surrounding areas, bringing back cold weather, while snowfall persisted in the mountainous regions.The rain triggered flash floods in streams at Ishrat and Kaldam Nala in Drosh, temporarily blocking the Chitral-Peshawar main highway for several hours before traffic was later restored. However, roads connecting 36 valleys remained open, and traffic was flowing normally.
According to the district administration of Upper and Lower Chitral, the current weather conditions pose a risk of landslides and falling rocks in mountainous areas.Relevant departments were directed to remain alert and keep machinery ready to handle emergencies.
Traffic was restored on the Chitral-Garam Chashma Road after landslides at various places.Authorities advised tourists and residents to avoid unnecessary travel and take precautionary measures during rains.
Citizens were urged to stay away from electricity poles and hanging wires, avoid weak structures, and keep children away from water and streams.The Meteorological Department forecast intermittent rain with thunderstorms in most parts of Upper and Lower Chitral over the next 24 hours, along with snowfall in the mountains, which may further intensify the cold.
