Two killed, more than 300 evacuated as PMD warns of more rain, urban flooding across K-P

Two people were killed and at least four injured after heavy rain caused flooding and building collapses in Swabi, while more than 300 people were evacuated from affected areas, Rescue 1122 said on Thursday. Heavy rain also continued in Rawalpindi, as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned of possible urban flooding across parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). The PMD warned of possible urban flooding in Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar and Nowshera following heavy rain, while mountainous areas of K-P faced a risk of landslides. Rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms was expected across several districts, including Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Khyber, Bajaur, Mohmand, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Hangu, Orakzai, Karak, Kurram, Kohat and Waziristan. The heaviest rain was forecast for Abbottabad, Haripur, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera and Peshawar. Other parts of the province were expected to remain hot and humid, the weather department said. Rescue operations continue A father and his daughter were killed, and a mother and her son were seriously injured when the roof of a house collapsed in Azad Khel in Topi, Swabi, Rescue 1122 said. Rescue 1122 teams reached the site after receiving the emergency call and recovered all four people from the rubble. The rescue service's medical team gave the injured mother and son first aid before being taken to Topi hospital, Rescue 1122 Swabi said. Rescue 1122 said buildings also collapsed at the National Bank area of Swabi, Jerando Canal and Azamabad checkpoint. No one was trapped under the rubble at the National Bank site, while two people were affected by the collapse at Jerando Canal and were moved to safety. Five people were affected by the building collapse at Azamabad checkpoint and were also moved to a safe location by Rescue 1122, the service said. The heavy rain also caused flooding in several parts of Swabi district. Rescue 1122 teams moved more than 300 people, including children, women and elderly people, to safer locations in Khamza Dher, Mansab Dar, Managai, Turkei, Landi Cham, Qamargai and Dhanduqa. The rescue teams used boats and life jackets during the operation, which was supervised by Swabi District Emergency Officer Owais Babar and Emergency Officer Nauman Khan. Station house in-charges and other rescue personnel also took part in the operation, Rescue 1122 said. A separate rescue operation continued overnight after floodwater entered several homes in Qamargai, Turkei, Landi Cham, Dhanduqa and Mansab Dar. Rescue 1122 said more than 60 people, including women, were safely evacuated from their homes. Rubber boats, divers, emergency medical technicians and other rescue personnel were involved in the operation, while Rescue 1122 teams remained deployed in the affected areas. Twin cities remain on alert Heavy rain continued in Rawalpindi and Islamabad for a second day on Thursday, with eight people rescued in two rain-related incidents as authorities remained on alert over possible flooding in low-lying areas. Rescue 1122 said three people were safely rescued at the Hakla Interchange and five others were moved to safety in Shahbagh, Kallar Syedan. No casualties were reported in either incident. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi remained on high alert and declared a rain emergency, deploying staff and heavy machinery in vulnerable areas including Gawalmandi, Liaquat Bagh, the Committee Chowk underpass, Murree Road, Dhok Khabba, Millat Colony, Arya Mohalla and Sadiqabad. WASA teams were monitoring Nullah Lai and other drains across the city. The water level at Kattarian was recorded at eight feet and six feet at Gawalmandi Bridge, while New Kattarian received 45mm of rain, according to the agency. The Rawalpindi deputy commissioner directed the district administration to keep monitoring low-lying areas and nullahs and placed sanitation teams on alert to ensure the timely drainage of rainwater. The latest spell followed torrential rain earlier in the week that caused widespread urban flooding across the twin cities, inundating roads and low-lying neighbourhoods and sending water into homes. The National Weather Forecasting Centre recorded 107mm of rain in Pirwadhai, 80mm in Gawalmandi, 76mm in New Kattarian, 64mm in Kacheri near Chaklala and 48mm in Shamsabad on Monday. In Islamabad, Golra near 11-E received 146mm and Bokra 138mm. Water levels in Nullah Lai and adjoining drains had risen sharply during the earlier spell, reaching about 20 feet at one point, prompting danger sirens and warnings for residents in vulnerable areas to move to safer locations.

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