PESHAWAR – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has been placed under high alert as the second spell of monsoon rains continues to cause destruction across the province. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), at least 10 people lost their lives and two were injured in rain-related incidents within the past 24 hours.
The PDMA has forecast continued heavy rainfall until July 25, particularly warning of potential landslides and cloudbursts in upper districts including Swat, Upper Kohistan, Shangla, and Chitral. All district administrations have been instructed to remain fully mobilized to manage emergencies.
Swat Declares High Alert Amid Flood Fears
In Swat, the local administration has declared a high alert following PDMA’s warning. Deputy Commissioner Saleem Jan visited flood-prone areas along the Swat River to review emergency arrangements. He ordered all departments to remain active and prepared, while urging residents and tourists to avoid rivers and streams, especially in flood-prone zones like Madyan and Malam Jabba.
The district administration also announced compensation packages for families of the deceased children in Madyan and Malam Jabba who tragically lost their lives during the current rain spell.
Province-Wide Emergency Measures Rolled Out
With a new system of westerly winds affecting northern KP from July 21, the Tourism and Culture Department has directed urgent precautionary actions across the region. These include:
- Immediate cancellation of all sanctioned and pending leaves for field staff
- Activation of tourist police and 24/7 emergency helplines
- Full readiness of Rescue 1122 and local disaster response units
Tourists stranded in vulnerable locations are being relocated to safer areas, and search and rescue teams remain on high alert to respond swiftly to any incidents. Authorities continue to monitor weather patterns closely as more rain is expected in the coming days.
