The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Communications and Works Department (KP) has presented an amazing estimate of RS 9.45 billion to repair roads and bridges damaged by sudden floods and heavy rains in the province from August 15 to 22.
The relentless rains and sudden floods have devastated Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), leaving at least 393 dead people, 190 wounds and 1,618 damaged houses, including 433 completely destroyed, with Buner informing the toll higher than 234 deaths.
In a detailed report published on Saturday, the department declared that 331 roads were damaged in 336 locations, with approximately 493 kilometers of road infrastructure fleeing unusable due to severe floods and landslides. Of these, 229 roads have partially reopened traffic, while 50 have been completely restored. However, 57 roads remain inaccessible, and complete rehabilitation is expected to take time.
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The report added that the restoration of these road networks would only require an estimated RS9.45 billion. Meanwhile, floods also swept 32 bridges throughout the province. Only one bridge has completely reopened for traffic, while 22 are partially operational and nine remain closed. The department has projected that the cost of restoring damaged bridges will amount to RS1.12 billion.
The most affected district was Swat, where 79 roads suffered damage to 80 different points. In total, 43 kilometers of roads were dragged alone on Swat. Restoration efforts in the district have led three roads to be completely reopened, while 75 have been partially clear. However, two paths remain inaccessible. The cost of Swat rehabilitation has already crossed RS450 million.
In the Buner district, 43 roads were damaged, with only four still completely inaccessible. Thirty -nine roads have seen partial restoration. The department declared that more than RS450 million had already been spent on repair work in the area.
In Swabi, 41 roads suffered damage, but 32 of them have not yet been restored to traffic. The authorities said that rehabilitation efforts are ongoing in all affected regions, and work is prioritized in critical connectivity areas.
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Earth landslides and sudden floods are common during the Monzón season, which usually begins in June and lasts until the end of September.
This year, almost 750 people have died since the season began, according to the authorities.
Pakistan is among the most vulnerable countries in the world with the effects of climate change and faces extreme climatic events.
The floods of the Monzón submerged a third of Pakistan in 2022, resulting in approximately 1,700 deaths.
