Monsoon rains kill 12 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as more storms forecast

Heavy monsoon rains and flash floods have killed at least 12 people and injured 18 others in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province since the latest spell began on July 19. Provincial disaster officials said on Tuesday that forecasters expect more severe weather in the coming days.

How many people have died in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa floods?

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority recorded 12 deaths and 18 injuries in a damage assessment covering the past 48 hours. The dead included five men, five children and two women, while the injured comprised 10 men, four women and four children. The rains also damaged 18 houses and killed four livestock animals.

What caused the deaths in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?

PDMA spokesperson Anwar Shehzad told Nukta that most fatalities occurred when roofs and walls collapsed during heavy rainfall. He said other victims were swept away by flash floods. Despite the intense rain, the authority said water levels in the province's major rivers and streams remained within normal limits.

Which districts are affected by the monsoon rains?

The PDMA listed Peshawar, Nowshera, Khyber, Mardan, Buner and Bajaur among the affected districts. Lower Chitral, Upper and Lower Dir, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Tor Ghar, Kurram and North Waziristan were also hit. Shehzad said the authority was coordinating relief work with Rescue 1122 and district administrations, and had instructed local officials to speed up emergency assistance.

How have landslides affected tourists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?

Malik Adeel Iqbal, the province's special assistant on tourism, said Tourism Police had been deployed across the Hazara and Malakand regions after landslides triggered by the monsoon. He said vehicles stranded by a landslide in Naran were evacuated in phases. Thousands of tourists and vehicles trapped on the road to Lake Saif-ul-Muluk were also safely cleared and allowed to continue their journey.

Rescue 1122

The provincial government said roads and access tracks blocked by landslides in Dunga Gali, Naran and other tourist areas have since reopened.

Will Khyber Pakhtunkhwa see more rain this week?

Pakistan's Meteorological Department has forecast strong winds, thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through July 23. The PDMA has urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from vulnerable tourist destinations. Officials asked the public to follow official weather alerts and safety advisories as the monsoon spell continues.