Lightning destroys hotel as rain wreaks havoc in Shangla

BISHAM: Lightning destroyed a hotel as heavy monsoon rain wreaked havoc in various parts of the Shangla district on Tuesday.

The rain started on Monday and continued intermittently for the second consecutive day, causing flashfloods in the Khan Khwar and other seasonal streams.

The floods swept away over half a dozen vehicles while several mud-thatched houses caved in due to rain in various union councils.

Lightning also destroyed a hotel near Bailay Baba and the land link of over 60,000 population in between Raniyal and Kormang union councils disconnected with other areas due high floods in Khan Khwar.

Also, unpaved roads were washed away in different mountainous areas in the district while traffic flow remained suspended due to landslides at several points on Bisham-Khwazakhela road and floods in seasonal streams.

The rains and subsequent floods also badly affected the electricity supply system in the district.

The floods also destroyed standing crops, vegetables and fruit orchards, inflicting heavy losses on the growers.

Shangla Deputy Commissioner Hamidur Rahman visited the affected areas and assured the residents that the rehabilitation would be launched soon.

He said that the affected people would be compensated for their losses.

The residents have appealed to the government to declare the district calamity-hit and announce a special package for the affected areas.