PESHAWAR: At least 12 people lost their lives and 18 others were injured after torrential monsoon rains triggered flash floods, swept away people, and caused house collapses across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) over the past 48 hours, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
The PDMA said the victims included five men, five children, and two women, while the injured comprised 10 men, four children, and four women. The heavy rainfall also damaged 18 houses, with three completely destroyed and 15 sustaining partial damage.
The worst-affected districts include Peshawar, Nowshera, Khyber, Mardan, Buner, Bajaur, Lower Chitral, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Tor Ghar, Kurram, and North Waziristan, where rescue and relief operations remain underway.
According to the PDMA, it is coordinating closely with Rescue 1122, district administrations, and other relevant departments to provide emergency assistance and distribute relief supplies to affected families. Authorities have directed local administrations to ensure timely support for displaced residents.
Despite the widespread damage, the disaster management authority stated that water levels in major rivers and streams remain within normal limits. However, it warned that the current spell of heavy rain is expected to continue intermittently until July 23, prompting alerts for all concerned departments to remain on high alert.
PDMA Director General Arif Ullah Awan urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from flood-prone and tourist areas, and strictly follow official weather advisories. He added that the PDMA Emergency Operations Centre is operating round the clock, while the authority's toll-free helpline remains available for weather updates and emergency assistance.
Heavy rainfall also disrupted electricity supply across the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) network. According to the utility, 148 feeders were affected across Peshawar, Khyber, Mardan, Swabi, and Swat due to the adverse weather.
PESCO officials said restoration work was hampered by continuous rainfall, although electricity was restored to 42 feeders overnight. Operational teams have been placed on high alert, with restoration efforts being monitored directly from the PESCO Control Room.
Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced plans to strengthen its emergency response capabilities by purchasing two rescue helicopters. Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam Afridi informed the provincial assembly that a summary seeking approval for the procurement has been submitted to the chief minister.
The announcement came after lawmakers questioned the government's preparedness following recent rescue operations in Kalam, where authorities had sought assistance from the Pakistan Army to evacuate stranded tourists. Officials confirmed that two injured people were rescued, while the bodies of two others were recovered.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), at least 38 people have died and 120 have been injured nationwide since the start of the monsoon season on June 26, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recording the highest number of fatalities.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast intensified monsoon activity across the country until July 25, warning of heavy rainfall, flash floods, urban flooding, landslides, and windstorms that could damage weak infrastructure, including electric poles, billboards, and solar panels. Authorities have advised the public to remain vigilant as the wet spell continues.
