Flash floods sweep away three in northwest Pakistan

Three persons and several heads of livestock were swept away by flash floods at Nowshera in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province following heavy rains since 5 am.

The bodies of two persons were found during the day.

Drains overflowed at several places and water entered homes.

The flooding damaged property and washed away electricity poles, disrupting power supply at several places.

Footage on television showed tracts of agricultural land were flooded.

The meteorological department issued a flash flood warning for Kohat and Mardan area and predicted more rains in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Strong monsoon currents are penetrating upper parts of Pakistan under the influence of a seasonal low over Balochistan and its adjoining areas, it said.

 

The Federal Flood Commission warned that preventive measures would have to be taken to avoid losses as flash flooding is expected in various areas during the next 48 hours.

A statement issued by the FFC said medium to high flash flooding is expected in the Kabul, Kurram, Gambila and Swat rivers and their tributaries due to rains in the northwest.

National Disaster Management Authority Chairman Zafar Iqbal Qadir directed provincial disaster management authorities to be ready to cope with any eventuality.

Minister for Climate Change Rana Farooq Saeed directed authorities to keep a close vigil at vulnerable points of rivers.

Kakul in Abbottabad received the maximum rainfall with 84 mm, followed by Murree (75mm) and Islamabad (55 mm), officials said.