Flash floods sweep away Munda Headworks bridge

CHARSADDA: Flash floods in Swat and Lower Dir have swept away the Munda Headworks bridge.

Local authorities have advised the people of Charsada to take precautionary measures following  the possibility of  flash floods hitting the city in the next few hours.

The Munda Headworks bridge broke due to pressure of flood water. The bridge's collapse has disconnected Tehsil Shabqadar and Prang from the district.

The incident took place around 11pm near Charsadda district. Charsadda, Nowshehra, and adjoining areas are at an extreme risk of flooding following the collapse of the bridge.

Residents have been advised by the authorities to evacuate and save their lives by moving to government-provided camps.

So far, no loss of life was reported, however, houses and agricultural land have been destroyed due to the flow of water.

The residents are being moved to safer places. The deputy commissioner and the authorities had issued a warning of flooding and appealed to the residents to leave their houses and move to a safe place, however, people did not take the warning seriously.

Floodwater has destroyed half of the Munda Headworks, sweeping away two Discharge Control sections, Deputy Commissioner Nowshera Mir Reza Ozgen tweeted on Saturday. The torrent of flood water is fast headed to Nowshera, the deputy commissioner warned.

The deputy commissioner said the Munda Headworks remained safe in 2010.

The DC also requested the residents to immediately evacuate to safe places, without wasting time.

In Charsadda, there is a very high flood at Khyali and the water level is further on the rise. The city administration is making efforts to rescue the stranded citizens.

Most flood victims have moved to the highway to take shelter. They are spending the night under the open sky.

According to reports, the local administration had already issued a flood warning due to which no casualties have been reported so far.

The DC said the district administration seeks the public's cooperation at this critical juncture. He said the administration is receiving complaints from many areas about people not cooperating with the administration in the evacuation process.

He called upon the people not to take this flood situation lightly. Reiterating his appeal to people for cooperation, he said that this time around, the situation is getting worse than that in 2010.

The DC Nowshera said all government and private educational institutions have been opened for the flood victims. People are being facilitated in every way possible, he said.