What exactly causes lightning within storms remains a mystery. AFP Photo
MARDAN/SHANGLA:
Strong storm winds, heavy rain and lightning caused multiple casualties and injuries in Swabi and Mardan of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Sunday night. Rescue teams rushed to the affected areas and authorities urged caution.
In Suabi, intense storm activity accompanied by strong winds and rain caused several tragic incidents. An investigative police officer, Naeem Khan, died on the spot after lightning struck a house in Turlandi area. His two brothers, Tayyab and Zareef, suffered serious injuries.
In another incident that occurred in the town of Baja, a 45-year-old woman lost her life when a wall of her house collapsed. Similar incidents of collapsing border walls and structures were reported in multiple areas, including Shewa, where a youth was injured.
In Yar Hussain, two people were injured after a sign fell during the storm, while in Kalu Khan, a child was injured when a solar panel structure collapsed. Rescue teams quickly reached the affected places and transported the deceased and injured to nearby hospitals for medical assistance.
Meanwhile, in Mardan, at least two people lost their lives and six others were injured in separate incidents caused by the strong gale and deteriorating weather conditions. According to relief sources, the strong winds caused walls and shutters to fall in several areas, causing casualties.
The deceased were identified as Usman, a resident of Gujar Garhi, and Osama, 17, of Totkalay. Usman was killed instantly when a wall collapsed on him, while Osama suffered critical injuries after a shop shutter fell on him and he later succumbed to his injuries.
Rescue officials confirmed that six injured people, including a minor boy and a 10-year-old girl, received immediate medical assistance and were taken to hospitals.
Some of the injured were reported to be in critical condition. Witnesses described the storm as extremely severe and stated that signs, trees and weak structures collapsed in several areas, while power supply was also disrupted in several localities.
The residents asked the district administrations to take urgent action against dilapidated buildings and unsafe structures to avoid such incidents in the future.
Rescue and district administration teams continued to participate in relief operations in the affected areas. They advised citizens to avoid unnecessary outdoor movements during the current adverse weather.
Floods in Shangla
Meanwhile, a devastating flash flood triggered by torrential rains has caused widespread destruction in Shangla’s remote Kana Valley, sweeping away more than a dozen houses and severing road links to other areas, creating an emergency-like situation.
Floods swept through the valley after heavy rain, destroying homes and damaging several others. Many families have been left homeless and are now stranded under the open sky without basic needs.
Heavy rain caused flash and powerful flooding that severely damaged roads, bridges and infrastructure. The main road connecting Kana Valley to other areas, along with several link roads, has been washed out at multiple points, completely cutting off land access.
Local residents Fazal Ali and Younas Shah reported that more than 20 small hydroelectric units, water mills and small shopping malls were also washed away, causing significant economic losses to the community.
Agricultural land, orchards and standing crops have also been severely affected, while electricity and communications systems have reportedly suffered extensive damage.
Residents said the flooding came suddenly overnight amid darkness, thunder and intense storms, leaving people with little time to react. Women, children and the elderly fled in fear and panic to safer places.
Several families are still waiting for help, while shortages of food, medicine and drinking water have emerged in the affected areas.
Locals have appealed to the district administration, Rescue 1122, Provincial Disaster Management Authority and the provincial government to launch immediate relief operations and provide rescue teams, machinery and emergency medical aid to prevent further losses.
Authorities said the situation in the affected areas is being assessed and relevant departments have been put on alert. However, continued rains and road blockages are posing serious challenges to relief operations.
(WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT IN SWABI)
