Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan has been hit by heavy rain and snowfall, leading to widespread disruption and tragic loss of life. Landslides triggered by the weather conditions have claimed the lives of 13 people, including children, across various locations. The provincial capital, Peshawar, experienced intermittent rain, causing flooding in low-lying areas and hindering daily life. Meanwhile, snowfall in the upper regions has led to road closures, further isolating these areas. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (DMA), efforts are underway to clear the blocked roads, but continuous snowfall is hampering progress. Several heartbreaking incidents of landslides were reported. In Deir Lower, a landslide struck a house, killing three people: 25-year-old Zahid, his wife, and their 5-year-old daughter. Their 3-year-old child sustained injuries and is receiving treatment at the hospital. Similarly, heavy rain caused the roof of a house to collapse in Bajaur Gakhi Kundu Mamond, tragically killing three children.

Rescue teams responded swiftly and managed to pull the children from the debris, but unfortunately, all three were pronounced dead. Another incident occurred near Batkhela Khatke graveyard, where a house roof collapsed due to heavy rain. Five people were trapped under the debris, and although rescue teams managed to evacuate them to the hospital, two individuals, a woman and her 5-year-old daughter, succumbed to their injuries. More cases of roof collapses were reported in Ala Dhand Dheri Saro Koto and Takhtbhai, resulting in the deaths of three women and one child, respectively. Several other individuals sustained injuries in separate incidents. In addition to these tragic events, heavy rain and snowfall have caused significant disruptions and damage across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The situation highlights the vulnerability of the region to natural disasters and emphasizes the need for robust disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)