MUAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Heavy monsoon rains, flash floods and cloudbursts have caused widespread destruction across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, severely damaging homes, businesses, roads, bridges and electricity infrastructure in Mansehra, Naran, Bagh and Neelum Valley.
According to officials, torrential rainfall triggered flash floods in Nala Mahal, Nala Mahlawani and Katha Piran Nala, inundating several residential and commercial areas.
Despite financial losses running into millions of rupees and disruption of road links to multiple villages, authorities confirmed that no loss of life has been reported so far due to timely evacuations and early warning measures.
Tourists Advised to Avoid Naran
Heavy rainfall has continued for the third consecutive day in Mansehra district, disrupting transportation and triggering landslides along the Naran-Lake Road. The road has been closed to all traffic after a flash flood caused a major landslide, leaving several tourist vehicles stranded.
District authorities safely shifted stranded tourists to Naran and urged visitors to avoid unnecessary travel to upper Kaghan Valley for the next three to four days. Heavy machinery has been deployed to clear debris, while Rescue 1122 teams remain on standby.
PDMA Issues Province-Wide Alert
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said rain-related incidents have been reported in Peshawar, Khyber, Mardan, Buner, Bajaur, Lower Chitral, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Torghar and Kurram.
The DG PDMA has directed all district administrations to intensify relief operations and ensure the immediate provision of assistance to affected families. Authorities warned that intermittent heavy rains are expected to continue until July 23, urging all district administrations to remain on high alert.
Bagh Suffers Major Damage
In Azad Kashmir’s Bagh district, intense rainfall over Ganga Choti, Birpani and Sudhan Gali triggered severe flooding in Nala Mahal and Nala Mahlawani.
Floodwaters swept away eight shops, seven houses and four vehicles near Bagh Main Bridge, while at least 15 vehicles parked at workshops were washed into the drain. Commercial centres in Qandil Colony and Bagh Bypass suffered extensive losses, and landslides blocked major highways linking Bagh with surrounding areas.
Cloudburst Devastates Neelum Valley
A cloudburst in Neelum Valley’s Katha Piran area caused one of the season’s worst disasters, washing away six houses, 25 shops, three vehicles and 11 motorcycles.
Officials said the main communication bridge and access road were destroyed, isolating local communities. Several villages remain without electricity after power infrastructure was damaged, while standing crops, orchards, livestock and footbridges were also swept away.
Authorities Appeal for Caution
The district administration, Rescue 1122 and disaster management authorities have launched emergency relief operations and evacuated residents living in high-risk areas.
Citizens and tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from rivers and streams, and immediately move to safer locations if living near vulnerable areas until weather conditions improve and road networks are restored.
