Heavy rainfall triggered a sudden rush of water from nearby mountains to the low-lying areas of Upper Dir district, destroying a madrassa, eleven shops and eight houses.
So far bodies of three women, five children and a cleric have been found, police said, adding that the toll might rise as several students of the madrassa and some residents of the area went missing after the flood.
Roads closed by land-sliding and avalanches, are being opened with help of bulldozers and machinery and debris of collapsed houses and shops are being removed.
