At least nine people have been killed and 23 others injured in rain-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) over the past 48 hours, as the season’s first spell of monsoon rains brought heavy downpours, strong winds, and flash floods to several districts.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the severe weather also damaged dozens of homes and prompted emergency response teams to launch relief operations in the affected areas.
Dozens of Homes Damaged
PDMA Director General said that at least 41 houses sustained damage due to heavy rainfall and flash flooding across different parts of the province.
The worst-affected areas include Khyber, Lower Dir, Mardan, Shangla, Bajaur, Lower Chitral, Dera Ismail Khan, and several other districts, where intense rainfall disrupted daily life and caused damage to homes and infrastructure.
Officials said district administrations have been instructed to accelerate relief operations and ensure immediate assistance reaches affected families.
Authorities Intensify Relief Operations
The provincial government has directed local administrations and emergency services to remain on high alert as rescue and relief activities continue in vulnerable areas.
Authorities are assessing the extent of the damage while providing emergency assistance to displaced families and those whose homes have been partially or completely damaged.
Officials have also urged residents living in flood-prone and low-lying areas to exercise caution and follow safety advisories issued by local authorities.
Rain and Snowfall Expected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as PDMA Issues Weather Alert
NDMA Warns of More Extreme Weather
The latest incidents come after the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a nationwide weather advisory warning of an increased risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), flash floods, landslides, and urban flooding between July 1 and July 4.
According to the NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), rising temperatures, an active monsoon system, and westerly weather disturbances are expected to produce heavy rainfall while accelerating glacier melting in northern Pakistan.
The authority has advised all relevant government departments to remain prepared for potential emergencies and urged the public to strictly follow official safety instructions.
Glacier Regions Face Elevated Risk
The NDMA warned that glacier-fed regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) face an elevated threat of glacial lake outburst floods due to a combination of above-normal temperatures and forecast heavy rainfall.
Glacial lake outburst floods occur when water retained by glacial ice or natural moraine dams is suddenly released, potentially causing destructive floods downstream.
With the monsoon season expected to continue in the coming weeks, disaster management authorities have urged residents, particularly those living near rivers, streams, mountainous areas, and glaciers, to remain vigilant and monitor official weather updates to minimize the risk to life and property.
