- Eight dead in Dera Ismail Khan, three children killed in Lower Dir roof collapse
- Six more killed, 600 homes damaged as downpour devastates parts of AJK
- Punjab braces for flood after India releases water into Sutlej, Chenab, Ravi
- Dozens of villages submerged; rescue ops underway in Kasur, Bahawalpur, Pakpattan
- CM Gandapur, PDMA issue alerts; govt sets up relief camps, evacuations continue
PESHAWAR/LAHORE/ISLAMABAD:At least 11 people, including three children, lost their lives and 47 others were injured as torrential rains and a powerful windstorm battered Dera Ismail Khan and Lower Dir in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, PDMA officials said on Sunday.
Of the 11 casualties, eight were reported in Dera Ismail Khan and three in Lower Dir, taking the cumulative rain-related death toll in the province to over 407. The windstorm, recorded at 100 km/h, caused severe destruction, collapsing roofs and walls in residential areas.
Casualties and Injuries in DI Khan
Dera Ismail Khan Deputy Commissioner Abdul Nasir Khan released official figures, confirming eight deaths—five in Dera Ismail Khan Tehsil and three in Paharpur Tehsil. Of the 47 injured, 41 are admitted to the District Headquarters Hospital while six are being treated at Mian Muhammad Teaching Hospital. Three of the injured are in critical condition, 18 remain under observation, and 26 with minor injuries have been discharged. No casualties were reported from Kalachi, Darazandha, Parwa, and Daraban tehsils.
Deputy Commissioner Abdul Nasir Khan, District Police Officer, and Assistant Commissioner Syed Arsalan visited hospitals, supervised rescue operations, and coordinated with hospital administrations to ensure immediate medical facilities for victims.
Lower Dir Tragedy
In Maidan, Lower Dir, three children lost their lives when the roof of their house caved in during the downpour. Rescue 1122 identified the deceased as 10-year-old Qasim, 11-year-old Murtaza, and 9-year-old Sohail. Disaster response teams rushed to the spot to assist the family.
Widespread Damage in AJK
Six more people, including two women, were killed while 14 were injured in rain-related incidents across four districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Commissioner Poonch Division said 129 homes were completely destroyed and 600 partially damaged. The rains also claimed 40 animals, destroyed 24 shops, and washed away four vehicles. He added that 60 kilometers of roads, 77 schools, and three health centers had been damaged. Residents were advised to avoid unnecessary travel and stay clear of drains and streams.
Rain Havoc in Punjab and KP
In Mardan, one person was killed and two were injured after the roof of their house collapsed in Takht Bhai. Meanwhile, more than 150 tourists stranded in Kaghan Valley were shifted to hotels after debris was cleared from the road leading to Saiful Muluk Lake.
Heavy downpours in Rawalpindi and Islamabad triggered flooding in nullahs and low-lying areas, with water entering homes and shops. Authorities opened the spillways of Rawal Dam after water levels touched 1,752 feet. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) deployed heavy machinery at Committee Chowk and Murree Road to clear water and monitor drainage.
In Arifwala and its suburbs, late-night rainfall plunged the city into darkness as several feeders tripped, suspending electricity supply.
KP CM Expresses Sorrows over Loss of Lives
Chief Minister Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property in DI Khan. He prayed for the deceased, assured best possible medical treatment for the injured, and directed swift relief and rehabilitation for victims. He reiterated that the provincial government “would not leave the affected families alone.”
Punjab’s PDMA Issues Flood Alert in River Tawi
Meanwhile, Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a flood alert after the Indian High Commission warned of high-level floods in River Tawi. Officials cautioned of possible flooding in River Chenab and its tributaries, with Gujrat and Sialkot districts most at risk.
A low-level flood has already been reported in River Sutlej at Lodhran, with a water flow of 40,000 cusecs. In Pakpattan, medium-level floods have submerged thousands of acres of farmland, prompting the evacuation of 1,100 residents and the establishment of 13 relief camps.
Similar threats loom in Chunian, Karor Pacca, Bahawalnagar, Arifwala, Kasur, Burewala, and Chishtian, where floodwaters have submerged villages, damaged crops, and disrupted electricity and communication networks.
Dozens of Villages Inundated
India’s release of water into the Sutlej River has worsened flooding in Kasur and Bahawalpur. At Ganda Singh Wala, water rose above 20 feet, cutting off 30 villages. Rescue operations were intensified, with Rangers and Rescue 1122 evacuating families to safer places and transferring belongings. In Arifwala, a child drowned, while hundreds of acres of farmland were destroyed in Bahawalpur after water levels surged at Head Islam.
Authorities warned that medium-to-high flooding may continue in the Sutlej, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum rivers until August 27, urging residents to immediately shift to safer locations.
