PESHAWAR: At least 47 people have lost their lives and 117 others have been injured in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as heavy rains triggered house collapses and widespread damage across the province.
According to official reports, 21 deaths and 40 injuries occurred over the past four days alone, while the overall toll since March 25 has risen significantly due to continued rainfall.
The victims include 27 children, 13 men, and seven women, highlighting the severe impact on vulnerable populations. Among the injured are 45 men, 21 women, and 51 children.
The downpours have also caused extensive damage to infrastructure, with 652 houses affected. Of these, 554 houses sustained partial damage, while 98 were completely destroyed.
The incidents were reported from multiple districts, including Bannu, Abbottabad, Mardan, Bajaur, Hangu, Mohmand, Kohat, North Waziristan, Peshawar, Khyber, Nowshera, Dera Ismail Khan, Kurram, Lakki Marwat, Shangla, Battagram, Lower Kohistan, Mansehra, Torghar, Swat, Upper Dir, Charsadda, Buner, Malakand, Lower Dir, Orakzai, South Waziristan, and Tank.
Rescue and relief operations are ongoing, with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Rescue 1122, and district administrations working in coordination. Relief goods have been dispatched to the affected areas, and local authorities have been directed to expedite assistance to victims.
Officials have warned that another spell of rain is expected to continue from April 6 to April 9, raising concerns of further damage. There is also a risk of low to moderate flooding in the Kabul River at Nowshera, along with possible surges in local streams.
