LOWER SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: The death toll from rain-related incidents during the ongoing monsoon spell and flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has risen to 18.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the current rain spell, which began on July 19, is expected to last till July 23 in KP.
The latest rain-related fatalities in the province were reported from Upper South Waziristan, where four people were killed in a roof collapse incident, Additional Deputy Commissioner Fazal Wadood told Dawn .
He said the incident occurred in the Bangiwala village on the outskirts of Sararogha tehsil during heavy rainfall.
The victims belonged to the same family, including a couple and their son and daughter, he added.
Separately, a report released by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) this morning said that 14 people had died and 19 had been injured in rain-related incidents across the province since July 19. The report did not mention the South Waziristan fatalities, which take the death toll recorded between July 19 and July 22 thus far to 18.
The authority’s report said 22 houses had been partially damaged in rain-related incidents and six destroyed.
The PDMA said in a statement that water levels and flows in all rivers and streams across the province were currently normal, and all district administrations had been directed to remain on alert.
It added that people may call the helpline 1700 for information about weather conditions or in case of any untoward incident.
Heavy rains have also disrupted routine life in Lower South Waziristan, with landslides blocking the Wana-Gomal Zam Road — one of the most important trade and communication routes in the region. There are also reports of flash floods damaging agricultural land in several areas.
A district administration official confirmed the road blockage to Dawn .
Several residents and commuters told Dawn over the phone that large boulders had fallen from mountains at several points along the road, while deep potholes had developed at various locations. They said several culverts, bridges and protection walls had also been damaged, making travel difficult and risky for motorists.
They called on the authorities to take immediate steps to reopen the road and restore traffic.
Meanwhile, Ahmadzai Wazir tribal elders residing in the region, while speaking to Dawn , urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other relevant authorities to take immediate measures for the reconstruction of the Wana-Gomal Zam Road.
The elders said the road had been in disrepair for a long time and was often closed even after moderate rainfall because of its poor condition.
In another development, there were also reports of flash floods in various areas of Lower South Waziristan. District administration officials told Dawn that high flows were reported in the Tanai and Spin streams following the rainfall.
Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Minister Ahsan Iqbal posted on X that he had chaired the third meeting of the Emergency Response Committee at the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC) on Wednesday to review the country’s preparedness for the ongoing monsoon season.
The minister said the meeting, attended by National Disaster Management Authority Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik and representatives of relevant federal ministries, reviewed provincial preparedness, relief supplies and drainage systems in detail.
“The NEOC is monitoring the weather situation round the clock, and I have issued strict instructions to all departments, including the Water and Power Development Authority, […] to remain on high alert,” the minister said.
“Our utmost priority is to protect the life of every citizen, safeguard vulnerable areas, and ensure swift relief operations in any emergency situation,” he said.
