Rain-Related Incidents Leave Dozens Dead, Hundreds Affected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

At least 45 people have lost their lives and more than 100 others have been injured due to rain-related incidents in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to the latest report released by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Sunday. The report stated that heavy rainfall since the end of March has caused roofs and walls to collapse in several parts of the province, leading to significant casualties. Among the deceased are 23 children, 17 men, and five women. The injured include 45 men, 16 women, and 44 children, as reported by Geo News. In addition to the loss of life, widespread property damage has also been reported. A total of 442 houses have been affected, of which 382 were partially damaged while 60 were completely destroyed. The affected districts include Kohat, North Waziristan, Peshawar, Khyber, Nowshera, Dera Ismail Khan, Kurram, Lakki Marwat, Shangla, Battagram, Bannu, Abbottabad, Mardan, Bajaur, Hangu, Mohmand, Lower Dir, Orakzai, South Waziristan, Tank, Lower Kohistan, Mansehra, Torghar, Swat, Upper Dir, Charsadda, Buner, and Malakand. The PDMA stated that it is in close coordination with Rescue 1122, district administrations, and other relevant agencies, and that relief operations are currently underway. Aid supplies have been dispatched to the affected areas, and local authorities have been instructed to expedite relief efforts and ensure assistance to the victims. According to media reports, authorities have warned of more rainfall expected between April 6 and April 9. Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly to vulnerable tourist areas, and to follow safety guidelines. Meanwhile, light to heavy rainfall was recorded in Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Friday, disrupting normal life. As reported by Dawn, the rain began in the morning and continued until late at night. Local residents, especially students appearing for annual matriculation and ninth-grade examinations conducted in two shifts under the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education and the Rawalpindi Board, faced considerable difficulties due to the weather conditions. The worst-affected areas in Rawalpindi included Rashid Minhas Road, Nogaza Road, Transit Camp Road, Ratta Amral Road, Jhanda Chichi Road, Chaudhry Bostan Khan Road, Saddar, Raja Bazaar, Farooq-e-Azam Road, and Sadiqabad Road.