CHITRAL: Flash floods triggered by torrential rain caused severe destruction in the Kalash valleys of Bamburet and Rambur, disrupting road links and creating panic among residents and tourists, officials said on Tuesday.
The locals and officials said the floodwaters completely swept away the house of Noor Shali in the valley. In several areas of Rumbur, flash floods washed away portions of the road, forcing the closure of the main route connecting Chitral with Rambur for all kinds of traffic.
Officials of the Kalash Development Authority (KDA) said that work to restore road access has already begun. “Heavy machinery and workers are engaged in clearing flood debris from the roads in both Rambur and Bamburet valleys. We hope that traffic will be restored by Wednesday if no further rainfall occurs,” said an official.
The situation has become particularly concerning as the famous Kalash spring festival, Chilimjusht, began on Tuesday and will continue until May 16. A large number of domestic and foreign tourists are present in the valleys, while more visitors are continuing to arrive for the celebrations.
Tourists stranded in the valleys expressed concern over the worsening weather conditions and road closures. Residents also described the situation as unprecedented, saying such extreme weather during the festival season had never been witnessed before.
The officials said that emergency efforts were underway to reopen the affected roads as soon as possible and normalise traffic in the region.
