Seven killed, 19 injured as monsoon rains trigger flash floods in KP

The first spell of the monsoon season has claimed at least seven lives and left 19 others injured across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), as heavy rainfall,

The first spell of the monsoon season has claimed at least seven lives and left 19 others injured across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), as heavy rainfall, lightning strikes, strong winds and flash floods caused widespread destruction in several districts, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

The PDMA said the deceased included two men, one woman and four children, highlighting the severe impact of the extreme weather on vulnerable communities. Among the injured were seven men, one woman and 11 children, many of whom suffered injuries after houses collapsed or were caught in weather-related incidents.

Authorities reported that the heavy rains damaged at least 38 houses across the province. Of these, two homes were completely destroyed, while the remaining structures sustained partial damage, forcing several families to seek temporary shelter.

The worst-affected areas included Khyber, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Mardan, Shangla, Bajaur and Lower Chitral, where flash floods and strong winds caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. Rescue teams and district administrations have been directed to continue relief operations and assess losses in the affected regions.

The PDMA has advised residents, particularly those living near rivers, streams and mountainous areas, to remain vigilant as more rain is expected during the ongoing monsoon spell. Local authorities have also been instructed to ensure the availability of emergency services and provide immediate assistance to affected families.

Meanwhile, Punjab also witnessed weather-related casualties during the past 24 hours as rain and windstorms swept through different districts of the province.

According to Rescue Punjab, two people lost their lives and nine others were injured in separate incidents linked to the severe weather. In Attock, the collapse of a wall resulted in the deaths of two people and left three others injured.

In Khushab, one person sustained injuries after being struck by lightning. Another individual was injured in Sargodha when a signboard collapsed due to powerful winds, while a separate incident in Sheikhupura left one person injured after the roof of a wooden structure gave way during the storm.

Emergency services remained engaged in rescue and relief operations across the affected districts, while authorities urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rainfall, stay away from unstable structures and follow official weather advisories.