Shafaqna Pakistan: Peshawar and its surrounding areas have been receiving continuous rainfall since Monday night, ranging from light showers to heavy downpours, with the wet spell expected to persist across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa until April 9.
By Tuesday morning, the intensity increased, bringing cooler temperatures and causing water to accumulate on roads and in low-lying areas.
In Lower Dir, heavy rain accompanied by thunder has swollen local streams and raised water levels in the Panjkora River. The downpour has also led to a noticeable drop in temperature and widespread power outages, as several electricity feeders tripped. Market activity has remained subdued, with residents largely staying indoors due to the severe weather.
Meanwhile, in Khyber District, continuous overnight rainfall has triggered flash floods in seasonal streams, disrupting traffic at multiple points along the Pakistan–Afghanistan Highway.
Persistent rainfall has also disrupted electricity supply across much of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Feeders in Mardan, Swabi, and Swat have tripped, causing ongoing power cuts in urban areas, including Peshawar.
Major disruptions have been reported on highways, including the Peshawar–Islamabad Motorway (M-1), Hakla–Dera Ismail Khan Motorway (M-14), Islamabad–Kot Momin (M-2), Hazara Expressway (E-35), Swat Expressway, Kamoki–Sambrial (M-11), and Sher Shah–Abdul Hakim (M-4).
The National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) have urged motorists to drive cautiously, reduce speed, maintain safe distances, and ensure vehicle lights and wipers are working. Sudden braking should be avoided. Assistance is available via the motorway police helpline at 130.
In Rustam and the surrounding areas, heavy rain with thunder after Fajr prayers caused waterlogging on roads and rising streams. Markets saw limited public movement, and Rescue 1122 has been placed on alert.
Authorities continue to monitor conditions and advise residents to remain cautious amid ongoing rainfall and potential flooding.
At least 25 people have died, and 77 others have been injured in rain-related incidents in several districts of K-P since March 25, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
According to the data shared by the authority, casualties included 18 children, two men, and five women, while the injured comprised 33 men, nine women, and 35 children.
The PDMA reported that a total of 88 houses had been damaged since March 25, including 71 that were partially damaged and 17 that were destroyed. The incidents were reported in multiple districts, including Bannu, Abbottabad, Kohat, Peshawar, Nowshera, Bajaur, Lakki Marwat, Kurram, Hangu, Shangla, Buner, Malakand, Upper Dir, Battagram, North Waziristan, and Tank.
Source: Express Tribune
