At least eight people, including three children, were killed and several others injured as torrential rains and flash floods wreaked havoc across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday, while authorities warned of more downpours and an increased risk of flooding in northern Pakistan. The deaths were reported in separate incidents across the province, with intermittent rain continuing in Abbottabad and other districts. Dense fog reduced visibility to near zero in the Galiyat region, prompting authorities to issue travel advisories. According to Rescue 1122, two children were killed after the roof of a room collapsed in Rustam Kalo Dheri area of Mardan. A woman and her daughter sustained serious injuries in the incident. In Khyber district, torrential rain and flash floods claimed six lives and injured several others. The heavy rainfall also damaged multiple link roads in and around Landi Kotal, while mud houses and boundary walls of more than 10 homes collapsed or suffered partial damage. Rain continued intermittently in Abbottabad, Haripur and adjoining districts, causing streams and nullahs to overflow. Water accumulated on the Karakoram Highway, turning sections of the road into large pools and severely disrupting traffic. In Galiyat, heavy rain and dense fog reduced visibility to almost zero. The Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) advised tourists to avoid travelling to Nathia Gali and Dunga Gali and warned them not to park vehicles in landslide-prone areas. Earlier, the Pakistan Meteorological Department forecast widespread rain accompanied by thunderstorms in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, Islamabad, upper and central Punjab, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Hot and humid weather is expected to persist across the country’s southern regions. Light to heavy rain also brought cooler weather to Islamabad, while thunderstorms and rain are forecast for parts of Balochistan, including Khuzdar, Musakhel, Sherani, Kohlu, Zhob and Barkhan. NDMA issues flash flood warning The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a flash flood alert for the mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The authority warned that accelerated glacier melting could continue until July 25, significantly increasing water flows in rivers and streams. The NDMA identified Hunza, Nagar, Skardu, Shigar, Astore and Diamer as being at risk of flooding and landslides, while Upper and Lower Chitral and adjoining areas have been declared highly vulnerable. Water flow in the Indus River has also intensified near Shangla. Punjab on alert as monsoon rains continue In Lahore, light rain was recorded in several parts of the city. According to the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), the highest rainfall was recorded in Gulshan Ravi at 34. 2 millimetres, followed by Samanabad with 31. 6mm. Other readings included 17. 4mm in Saggian, 11. 6mm in Farrukhabad, 11mm in Iqbal Town, 6. 8mm at Lakshmi Chowk, 1. 4mm at Pani Wala Talab, 0. 4mm at Chowk Nakhuda, and 0. 2mm each at WASA Head Office Gulberg and Nishtar Town. No rainfall was recorded on Jail Road, at the airport, Upper Mall, Mughalpura or Tajpura. WASA said its field teams remain on high alert, with Managing Director Ghufran Ahmed personally monitoring drainage operations. Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab said water levels in most rivers remain within normal limits. However, low-level flooding persists at the Khanki and Qadirabad points on the Chenab River. According to the PDMA, inflow at Khanki was recorded at 125, 000 cusecs and outflow at 117, 000 cusecs, while Qadirabad recorded an inflow of 146, 000 cusecs and an outflow of 127, 000 cusecs. Water levels in the Ravi, Sutlej and Indus rivers remain normal, as do conditions in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan. The PDMA warned that continued monsoon rains could increase river flows until July 24. Flooding is possible in tributaries connected to the Ravi and Chenab rivers, including the Basantar, Deg, Palkhu, Bhimber, Halsey and Dora streams, while flash floods may occur in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan. The authority also warned of urban flooding in the Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sargodha, Okara, Sahiwal, Bahawalnagar and Rawalpindi divisions. PDMA Director General Umar Abbas Mehla urged people living near rivers and in low-lying areas to move to safer locations if necessary, avoid unnecessary travel near rivers and streams, and ensure children do not bathe in floodwaters. He said flood relief camps had been established in vulnerable areas, where essential facilities and medicines would be made available, and urged the public to follow official advisories and avoid recreational visits to rivers, canals and streams during the ongoing spell of monsoon rains.
Eight killed as flash floods wreak havoc in Khyber amid torrential rains
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