Monsoon rains have intensified in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the Meteorological Department predicting rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds in most districts of the province over the next 24 hours.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has issued a warning regarding the risk of flooding in rivers and landslides in mountainous areas due to the heavy rains.
Significant rainfall is expected in the upper and central districts, including Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Mardan, Swabi, and Nowshera. Meanwhile, light to moderate rain is anticipated in Chitral, Peshawar, Charsadda, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Waziristan, and other regions.
The PDMA has placed the district administration and rescue agencies on high alert and advised the public to stay away from rivers and mountainous areas, avoid unnecessary travel, and make travel decisions only after consulting local authorities. Residents in low-lying areas and riverside settlements have been instructed to take special precautions.
A report from the PDMA notes that 40 people have died and 62 have been injured due to the ongoing monsoon rains since June 25. The highest number of fatalities occurred in North Waziristan (11), Swat (9), Mardan (7), and Charsadda (6).
In addition, 174 schools and 52 houses have been damaged by the floods. The PDMA, along with relevant agencies, is on high alert and closely monitoring the situation. The PDMA predicts that the current series of rains will continue until June 17, with the possibility of rain persisting into the following week as well.
According to the Meteorological Department, rainfall measurements over the last 24 hours included 36 mm in Kakul, 26 mm in Pattan, 24 mm in Balakot, 15 mm in Cherat, 8 mm in Malam Jabba, 6 mm in Kalam, 4 mm in Saidu Sharif, and 1 mm in Takht Bhai. The temperature in the southern districts of Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan reached 36 degrees Celsius.
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