CHITRAL: Flash floods wreaked havoc in Chitral district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, for the second consecutive day on Saturday. Villages Danin, Kari, Ayun, and Koghuzi Valley were inundated due to the Yarkhun River swelling from melting glaciers and snow.
Rescue efforts were hindered by damaged bridges in Koghuzi Valley and Kari village. Moreover, a section of the Chitral-Booni Road near Chitral Town was washed away, cutting off access to affected areas.
The flood caused damage to eight houses, four commercial properties, and uprooted four giant poplar trees at the Chitral Fort. Additionally, the flood submerged Government Primary School Pewar and 18 other houses a day before.
The disaster resulted in the loss of thousands of acres of land, meadows, crops, and damage to the canal system and roads. Hundreds of residents in low-lying areas were forced to evacuate, leaving their belongings behind.
Local residents urged the district administration and provincial government to provide immediate aid and support. It included tents and food supplies for those affected by the flood.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) had issued alerts beforehand, but the impact was still severe. Areas like Abbottabad, Chitral Upper and Lower, Dir Upper and Lower, Kohistan, and Torghar were expected to receive heavy rains.
Despite proactive measures, the floods caused significant economic and infrastructural damage, leaving a lasting impact on the affected communities.
Over the last few years, Chitral, a picturesque region nestled in the northern part of Pakistan, has been grappling with the harrowing consequences of climate change. The once-pristine landscape is now bearing the brunt of this global crisis. Extreme weather events have become increasingly frequent and intense. Devastating floods, severe droughts, and unpredictable monsoons have left communities struggling to cope with the ever-changing climate patterns.
