What exactly triggers lightning in thunderstorms remains a mystery. Photo AFP
MARDAN/SHANGLA:
Strong gusty winds, heavy rain and lightning caused several casualties and injuries in Swabi and Mardan of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Sunday evening. Rescue teams rushed to the affected areas and authorities urged caution.
In Swabi, intense thunderstorm activity accompanied by strong winds and rain led to several tragic incidents. An investigating police official, Naeem Khan, was killed on the spot after lightning struck a house in Turlandi area. His two brothers, Tayyab and Zareef, sustained serious injuries.
In another incident in the Baja locality, a 45-year-old woman lost her life when a wall of her house collapsed. Similar incidents of collapsing walls and border structures were reported from several areas, including Shewa, where a young man was injured.
In Yar Hussain, two people were injured after a sign fell during the storm, while in Kalu Khan, a child was injured when a solar panel structure collapsed. Rescue teams immediately reached the affected places and shifted the dead and injured to nearby hospitals for medical attention.
Meanwhile, at least two people lost their lives in Mardan and six others were injured in separate incidents caused by the strong wind storm and deteriorating weather conditions. According to rescue sources, strong winds led to the fall of walls and shutters in various areas, resulting in casualties.
The deceased were identified as Usman, a resident of Gujar Garhi, and 17-year-old Osama of Totkalay. Usman died instantly when a wall collapsed on him while Osama sustained critical injuries after a shop shutter fell on him and later succumbed to his injuries.
Rescue officials confirmed that six injured people, including a minor boy and a 10-year-old girl, received immediate medical attention and were moved to hospitals.
Some of the injured were reported to be in critical condition. Eyewitnesses described the storm as extremely severe and stated that signs, trees and weak structures collapsed across several areas, while power supply was also interrupted in several localities.
Residents urged district administrations to take urgent action against dilapidated buildings and unsafe structures to prevent such incidents in future.
Rescue and District Administration teams remained engaged in relief operations across affected areas. They advised citizens to avoid unnecessary movement outdoors during the ongoing adverse weather.
Floods in Shangla
Meanwhile, a devastating flood triggered by torrential rains has caused widespread destruction in the remote Kana Valley of Shangla, washing away more than a dozen houses and cutting road links to other areas, creating an emergency-like situation.
Floods swept through the valley after intense rainfall, destroying houses and damaging several others. Many families have become homeless and are now stranded in the open without basic necessities.
Heavy rain caused flash and heavy flooding that severely damaged roads, bridges and infrastructure. The main road that connects Kana Valley to other areas along with several connecting roads has been washed away at several points, completely cutting off access to the land.
Local residents Fazal Ali and Younas Shah reported that over 20 small hydroelectric plants, water mills and small business centers were also swept away, resulting in significant economic losses to the community.
Agricultural land, orchards and standing crops have also been badly affected, while electricity and communication systems have reportedly suffered extensive damage.
Residents said the floods hit suddenly overnight amid darkness, thunder and intense storm conditions, leaving people with little time to respond. Women, children and the elderly fled in fear and panic to safer places.
Several families are still waiting for help, while there has been a shortage of food, medicine and clean drinking water in the affected areas.
Local people have appealed to the district administration, Rescue 1122, Provincial Disaster Management Authority and the provincial government to launch immediate relief operations and provide emergency rescue teams, machinery and medical assistance to prevent further casualties.
Officials said the situation in the affected areas is being assessed and relevant departments have been put on alert. However, continuous rainfall and road closures pose serious challenges to relief operations.
(With input from OUR CORRESPONDENT IN SWABI)
