Heavy Rainfall in Chitral Causes Severe Flooding; Roads and Bridges Washed Away, Communication Disrupted
In Chitral, heavy rainfall has led to severe flooding, causing extensive damage as roads, bridges, and houses have been washed away. At the Golain Gol area, 14 houses and a connecting bridge were swept away by the floodwaters. Additionally, roads at three locations have been submerged, leading to the closure of the Chitral-Mastuj-Gilgit road for all types of traffic. This has resulted in a complete communication breakdown with traffic jams stretching for miles.
Despite the severe flooding and destruction in the Golain Gol area, relief efforts have not yet commenced. Affected residents are without tents and are exposed to the elements. They have appealed for immediate relief operations and safe shelter arrangements.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecasted rain for Chitral, Dir, Swat, Malakand, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Torghar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Buner. Thunderstorms are expected in Bajaur, Mohmand, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Khyber, Kohat, Karak, Hangu, Kurram, and Orakzai. Rain, some of it heavy, may also occur in Dera Ismail Khan, and the North and South Waziristan regions.
The Meteorological Department has issued precautionary measures, warning that heavy rainfall may increase water flow in rivers and streams in Galyat, Kohistan, Swat, Shangla, Khyber, Nowshera, and Swabi, with low-lying areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at risk of flooding. Landslides in mountainous areas could impact roads. Travelers and tourists are advised to exercise caution during this season.
Recent weather reports indicate that Peshawar recorded 14 mm of rain, Chitral 15 mm, Dir Bala 50 mm, and Dir Lower 12 mm. The highest rainfall was recorded in Balakot with 102 mm, followed by Malam Jabba with 73 mm, and other locations including Ghazi, Saidu Swat, Kalam, Kohat, and Takht Bhai with varying amounts. Temperatures across the region ranged from a high of 39°C in Dera Ismail Khan to a low of 20°C in Malam Jabba.