Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Communication and Works Department has revealed a staggering RS 9.45 billion estimate for repair of roads and bridges damaged by flash floods and heavy rainfall over the province from August 15 to 22.
Relegal rain and flash floods have ravaged Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), leaving at least 393 people dead, 190 wounded and 1,618 houses damaged-inclusive 433 completely destroyed-with-buns reporting the highest road taxes at 234 deaths.
In a detailed report, published on Saturday, the department stated that 331 roads were damaged in 336 locations, with approx. 493 kilometers of road infrastructure that became recyclable due to severe floods and landslides. Of these, 229 roads have been partially opened again to traffic, while 50 have been fully restored. However, 57 roads remain inaccessible, and full rehabilitation is expected to take time.
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The report added that the restoration of these road networks alone would require an estimated RS9.45 billion. Meanwhile, the flooding water also swept 32 bridges over the province. Only one bridge has been completely opened to traffic, while 22 is partially operational and nine remain closed. The department has expected that the cost of recovering the damaged bridges will constitute RS1.12 billion.
The most hard -affected district was Swat, where 79 roads inflicted damage at 80 different points. In total, 43 kilometers of roads were washed away in Swat alone. Restoration efforts in the district have led to three roads being fully reopened, while 75 have been partially cleared. However, two roads remain inaccessible. The cost of rehabilitation in SWAT has already crossed RS450 million.
In the Buner district, 43 roads were damaged, with only four still inaccessible. 32 roads have seen partial restoration. The department stated that more than RS450 million had already been spent on repair work in the area.
In Swabi, 41 roads suffered damage, but 32 of them have not yet been restored to traffic. Officials said that the rehabilitation effort is underway in all regions affected, where the work is prioritized in areas of critical connection.
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Landslides and flash floods are common in the Monsun season, which typically begins in June and lasts until the end of September.
This year, almost 750 people have died since the season started, according to authorities.
Pakistan is among the world’s most vulnerable countries towards the effects of climate change and is increasingly facing extreme weather events.
Monsoon floods immersed one -third of Pakistan in 2022, resulting in about 1,700 deaths.
