Intermittent rains in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) over the past five days have resulted in four fatalities and nine injuries, according to a report by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
The report, released on Monday, revealed that four people—three men and one woman—lost their lives in accidents caused by the rains, while nine others, including four children and three women, were injured.
The heavy rainfall affected several districts, including Haripur, Battagram, Bajaur, Upper and Lower Kohistan, Dir, Hangu, Khyber, and Torghar. The report also mentioned that 14 houses were damaged by the rains, with 10 partially damaged and three completely destroyed.
The PDMA has instructed district administrations to provide immediate relief to the affected families and ensure proper medical care for the injured. In addition, authorities have been urged to take all necessary measures to reopen highways that were blocked due to rain and snowfall.
This wave of rain follows warnings issued by Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority last week about a strong westerly wave expected to bring rains, thunderstorms, and snowfall to the upper parts of the country from February 24 to March. 1.
The rains come after a months-long drought severely impacted crops such as wheat and potatoes, which are essential for food security and the agricultural economy in Pakistan.