Heavy rains trigger flash floods in Khyber

LANDIKOTAL/JAMRUD/ BARA: Torrential rains unleashed flash floods in different parts of Khyber district on Saturday, causing damage to infrastructure and disrupting routine life, residents said.

One Jabir Khan said that flash floods washed away a number of houses, schools, mosques, railway track, community centres, shops and roads in Landikotal, Bazaar Zakhakhel, some areas of Jamrud and the Torkham border.

He said the gushing floodwaters swept through Pak-Afghan highway at various locations that caused traffic suspension for several hours. Long queues of trucks and passenger vans were seen near Ali Masjid locality waiting for the highway to reopen.

Several houses, vehicles and standing crops were affected, while link roads in remote areas were washed away, cutting off access for hundreds of families.

Residents said children were unable to attend classes after water entered school buildings and damaged furniture and learning materials.

Mosques in low-lying areas were in danger of collapsing, forcing people to offer prayers in makeshift arrangements.

Meanwhile, provincial Minister Adnan Qadri sent relief goods to Bazaar Zakhakhel where Tehsildar Taimur Afridi distributed them among the affected families.

Locals complained that no timely relief or rescue response was seen in many of the worst-affected areas.

They urged the government to dispatch emergency teams, provide clean drinking water, food supplies, medical assistance and take steps for the early restoration of roads and public facilities.

Elders of the affected communities warned that without immediate measures, the floods would not only disrupt education activities but also cripple local businesses and agriculture.

Meanwhile, houses and roads were partially damaged in Jamrud tehsil due to heavy rains. However, due to the alertness of the public, there was no loss of life, while floodwater entered some areas in Jamrud. Residents said that heavy rains in Parangsam area of Jamrud damaged one side of the Pak-Afghan highway, making travel dangerous for travelers.

In another incident, the wall of a hujra collapsed in the Kharki Abad area of Jamrud.

There were reports of damage to the walls of a few houses in Jamrud, however, no loss of life was reported.

Rescue 1122 officials in Jamrud had warned the public about the flood and advised them to stay away from floodwater.

Also, heavy rains and flash floods damaged a private cricket academy in Kamarkhel area of Bara tehsil, causing the collapse of its boundary wall and other structures.

The academy’s boundary wall crumbled, with residents attributing the

damage to substandard construction work and lack of a proper drainage system.

Khyaalmat Shah Afridi, the academy’s owner, told the media that he had repeatedly filed written complaints with the Communication & Works (C&W) Department and the Khyber District Sports Department regarding poor planning and low-quality construction, but no action was taken.

He explained that the facility was established under the provincial government’s flagship project “1000 Sports Facilities (2021-22)”, which aimed to build 1,000 sports grounds and academies across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in underdeveloped tribal districts.