Death toll from rains, floods soars as people struggle to cope with devastation

Landslide buries 30 people in Kohistan

PESHAWAR: The death toll from the torrential rains soared on Monday as people struggled to cope with the devastation caused by landslides coupled with flash floods in various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Though the weather cleared up in most areas on Monday, the after affects of the rains and floods were still visible and widely felt. Families were mourning their dead and nursing the injured. Many were also trying to reconstruct their damaged houses and rebuild their broken lives. The government now faces the huge challenge of reconstruction of the destroyed infrastructure.

MANSEHRA: At least 30 people, including women and children, were buried alive as a landslide hit houses in Thor Nullah village in Kohistan district, a government official said.

Deputy Commissioner of Kohistan, Fazle Khaliq quoting local people said that seven houses were damaged by the landslide.

He said the rescuers rushed to the spot, but they couldn’t begin rescue activities as they feared another landslide could hit the place.

The official said it was a difficult terrain and the infrequent routes leading to the area were also washed away by the landslide triggered by heavy rains.

He said that he had asked the provincial government to send helicopters to start rescue activities as the roads and other infrastructure leading to the remote Kandia tehsil were destroyed.

“The inclement weather is a big hurdle in launching the rescue operation. I am optimistic we can start the rescue efforts most probably on Tuesday,” the deputy commissioner said.

District Police Officer of Kohistan Tehmat Ali told reporters that policemen of four police stations situated near the affected village had been ordered to arrive at the spot and take part in rescue activities.

The official said though he was not sure about the number of people who were trapped, the locals told him that they could be more than 30.

He said the 26 foreigners from Germany, China and Korea working on various projects in Kohistan were safe as they were in contact with the police.

There were also reports that some foreigners were stranded in Pattan town in Kohistan because the Karakoram Highway was blocked by landslides.

TIMERGARA: Two women were killed while two men sustained injuries when a mini truck fell into the river Panjkora as a portion of the road had been washed away by heavy rains in Lower Dir district.

Station House Officer of Khall Police Station, Abdur Rahman told The News that the vehicle was heading towards Timergara from Warai in Upper Dir.

He said the truck drowned in river Panjkora at Tormang in Lower Dir as a portion of the road was eroded by the flash flood triggered by heavy rains.

He said the vehicle was pulled out from the river with the help of heavy machinery after hectic efforts.

Abdur Rahman said the body of one of the women was found, but the other couldn’t be fished out.He said the two injured brothers identified as Sajid and Ayanullah were taken to the District Headquarters Hospital in Timergara.

SHANGLA: With the death of three more persons, the number of people who were killed in rain related incidents in Shangla reached 19 while another 41 were reported injured.

It was learnt that over 150 houses were damaged by the landslides and heavy rains in the district. The Bisham-Karora road was washed away by the gushing water of Khan Khwar stream at Ranyal.

The heavy downpour also caused suspension of power and many areas in Shangla plunged into darkness. The landslides blocked the Bisham-Alpuri road, Karora-Chakesar road and Tangi-Puran road at several places.

The local people have started relief activities on self-help basis. They have asked the government to provide them relief in the face of the colossal destruction caused by the devastating rains.

BATTAGRAM: Landslides damaged several houses, link roads and bridges in various areas in union councils Thakot and Qala Bathkol in the district.Reports said that eight houses were destroyed by the heavy rains in Thakot alone.

TAKHT BHAI: An eight-year old boy was killed in a roof collapse incident in Lundkhwar village.

It was learnt that the roof of the house of one Ameer Khan collapsed, injuring his minor son Nasir Khan. The boy was rushed to a nearby hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries on the way.

MINGORA: The death toll from the rains in Swat district rose to 11 and the number of injured was 13.Local authorities said that heavy rains played havoc in the district in the last three days.

They said the rains destroyed 56 houses and several bridges and link roads in the district.Some of the dead were identified as wife of Rahman Ali, Sahil, Niaz Ali, Afaq, Zubaida, Shah Zaman, Afsana Bibi, Sultana Bibi, Alifzada and Sultan Khan.

CHARSADDA: The Swat and Kabul rivers were in medium flood at Charsadda.The water level has increased in both the rivers after heavy rains in the last three days.

According to the flood control room set up at the office of the deputy commissioner, the situation was being observed closely and there was no threat of high flood in the two rivers.  The district administration keeping in view the weather forecast directed those living along the banks of the rivers to adopt precautionary measures.