Heavy monsoon downpours and cloudbursts caused flash floods in several parts of the country, claiming at least four lives, leaving three people missing and causing extensive damage to homes, schools, roads and public infrastructure.
In Khyber district, two vehicles were swept away by raging floodwaters after heavy rain. Women and children travelling in the vehicles were rescued, while police said three people are still missing. In a separate incident near Zakariya Mosque in the Khuga Khel area, another car was caught in the flood, but everyone inside was rescued safely.
At Head Qadirabad in Hafizabad, the Chenab River continued to swell as inflows reached 138,000 cusecs, while outflows were recorded at 115,000 cusecs, resulting in low-level flooding.
In Layyah’s Samran Sheeb area, strong currents in the Indus River washed away two government schools. River erosion also destroyed hundreds of acres of farmland, damaged around 300 houses, affected more than five settlements, and swept away three mosques, electricity poles and other public infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall also washed away the Kohlia Bridge near Hassan Abdal for the second year in a row. The bridge, built with community support, connected several border villages of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Its destruction has once again cut off road access and disrupted daily life for local residents.
In Neelum Valley, a cloudburst caused streams to overflow, flooding houses and shops. Near Mengal Nala, several vehicles, motorcycles and livestock were swept away, while traffic on the main Neelum Highway was badly affected.
A cloudburst in Mansehra’s Jabori area also caused significant damage, affecting hotels and residential buildings and disrupting normal life. Authorities have advised tourists to stay away from the Kunhar River, Siran Valley, Kaghan Valley and other vulnerable waterways due to the danger of flash floods.
Meanwhile, persistent rain in Murree and Galiyat brought a welcome drop in temperatures.
In a separate incident, four labourers lost their lives and three others were injured after a landslide hit the Budda Las area of Chalt in Nagar district. Rescue officials said the workers were returning home after work when they were buried under falling debris. One of the deceased was identified as Shafqat from Layyah, another as Fida Hussain from Chalt, while the remaining two belonged to Kohistan. Their bodies have been sent to their hometowns for burial.
