Lightning, flooding leave 2 dead, several injured in KP

Two children have died, and several others sustained injuries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as heavy rainfall, lightning and flash floods swept through parts of the province, authorities said. More than 20 seminary students have been injured after a lightning strike hit Upper Dir. Residents quickly responded to the incident and began rescue operations, assisting the injured students at the scene. Authorities said the injured were given immediate first aid before being transferred to Wari Hospital for further medical treatment.

Meanwhile, in Lower and Upper Chitral, several houses, mosques, shops, and bridges were damaged due to flash flooding triggered by intense rainfall. Emergency response teams have been deployed in the affected areas to carry out rescue and relief operations. Officials said the situation is being closely monitored as assessments of the damage continue.

Rescue teams from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Rescue 1122, and other relevant agencies are conducting search, rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has released a preliminary report detailing the loss of life and property caused by the heavy rain, lightning, and flash floods that struck various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa overnight.

According to the PDMA, two children lost their lives, and three others were injured after being struck by lightning in the Bara Zakakhel area of Khyber District. The injured children were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

The report states that heavy rainfall and a cloudburst triggered flash floods in Lower Chitral, damaging 27 houses. Two mosques, two shops, and a bridge were also damaged by the floodwaters. In addition, four vehicles and several motorcycles were affected by the flooding, while authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage.

In the Yarkhun and Mastuj areas of Upper Chitral, one house, several irrigation schemes, and canals were damaged by flash floods. However, no casualties were reported in these areas, and relief supplies have already been distributed to the affected families. The PDMA also confirmed that two roads in Lower Chitral, which had been closed due to the flash floods, have now been reopened for traffic.

According to the authority, teams from PDMA, Rescue 1122, and other relevant departments remain engaged in search and rescue operations as well as relief activities across the affected regions. The PDMA stated that its Emergency Operations Centre is fully operational and remains in constant contact with all district administrations while continuously monitoring the situation. The authority has urged the public to immediately report any emergency or untoward incident by calling the PDMA helpline at 1700.