PESHAWAR: Torrential rain and devastating flash floods wreaked havoc in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), killing at least 206 across the province in last 24 hours, PDMA reported.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the province-wide deaths included 126 men, eight women and 12 children, with Buner witnessing the highest number of deaths, 157.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that the 194 dead include 180 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), five in Gilgit Baltistan (GB), and nine in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), as the tally is expected to rise.
The NDMA report stated that 158 of the victims were male, 19 female, and 17 children. Another 28 people have been injured nationwide, while 116 houses have been damaged 34 partially and 14 fully in KP, 14 partially and three fully in GB, and 23 partially and 28 fully in AJK.
Electricity suspended
According to the Peshawar Electricity Supply Company (PESCO), electricity supply in Swat has been disrupted after floodwaters entered the 132KV grid station, suspending power on 41 feeders.
Pakistan Army’s relief operation
Pakistan Army and Frontier Corp Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continue flood relief operation in Swat and Bajaur. IGFC North’s helicopter is engaged in relief activities and providing ration and other supplies to the affected people.
the state-run Radio Pakistan reported that people are being evacuated from flood-affected areas to safe places. The operation will continue till all affected people are rescued and shifted to safe places.
PM emergency meeting
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened an emergency meeting over KP flash floods. Earlier he directed the authorities concerned to accelerate the rescue operation in Battagram district, after a cloudburst caused deaths and a flood situation.
The prime minister, in a statement, expressed grief over the deaths and prayed for peace for those who lost their lives in the flash flood. He also conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for strength for them to bear the loss.
He also directed the provision of immediate and all possible medical assistance to the injured.
KP announces mourning
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government announced mourning tomorrow as the death toll in flash floods rises across the province.
KP helicopter crash
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government helicopter, which was earlier reported missing, has also crashed near Chungi Banda, killing all three people on board.
Provincial authorities confirmed the crash on Friday, saying the MI-17 helicopter was on a relief mission to the flood hit Salarzai area of Bajaur when it lost contact. The aircraft was delivering aid as part of rescue operations when bad weather caused communication to break down in the airspace over Mohmand district.
Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah earlier said the helicopter went missing while travelling to Bajaur, losing contact in the Mamond area.
KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said all efforts were made to re-establish contact with the helicopter, and rescue teams were sent immediately to search the area. He confirmed that three people were martyred in the crash.
The provincial government’s second helicopter was already engaged in rescue work in Buner district at the time of the incident.
Swat rescue operation
Twelve people trapped in the Swat River at Munda in Charsadda were rescued in time on Friday.
According to Charsadda’s Deputy Commissioner, the group was stranded on a sandbank in the middle of the river.
In Mingora city, Tehsil Charbagh, Khwazakhela, Madian, Kabal, Barikot, Mingora Khwar, and Hazara Khwar, water levels have risen sharply. Streets in Mingora and nearby areas are flooded, and water has entered homes in different localities, forcing many residents to leave their houses.
Meanwhile, in Bajaur, a cloudburst and landslides have caused severe destruction. At least 16 people have died, and several others are still missing. Rescue teams, with the help of locals, have recovered 16 bodies and rescued three injured people from the debris and floodwaters. The injured were given first aid and shifted to hospital.
Read more: Swift operation saves 12 trapped in Swat River in Charsadda
