PESHAWAR:
At least two people were killed and 11 others injured in rain-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as heavy rain and thunderstorms lashed parts of the province, prompting fresh weather warnings from authorities for the coming days.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the fatalities were reported from Mardan during rain-related incidents on Monday night, while injuries were recorded in Battagram, Swat and Mardan.
The Pakistan Meteoro-logical Department (PMD) has meanwhile forecast dust-thunderstorms and rain with occasional gaps in the upper parts of the country till May 23.
The PDMA report stated that four people were injured in Battagram, one in Mardan and six in Swat. Adverse weather also caused widespread damage to homes and infrastructure in several districts.
According to the report, four houses – one in Battagram and three in Shangla – were completely destroyed. Another 27 houses suffered partial damage, including two in Swat, five in Torghar, and one each in Upper Dir and Mardan. A school in Shangla was also damaged due to the severe weather conditions.
The PDMA’s daily weather report showed that Kalam received the highest rainfall in the province over the last 24 hours, recording 12mm of rain, followed by Chitral with 11mm, Malam Jabba with 8mm, and Saidu Sharif and Balakot with 7mm each.
Kakul and Mardan recorded 4mm each, while Drosh received 2mm. Parachinar, Timergara, Mirkhani and Dir each recorded 1mm rainfall.
Earlier, the PMD said a westerly wave was likely to approach the northwestern parts of the country on the night of May 18 and persist in upper regions till May 23.
Under the influence of the weather system, dust-thunderstorms and rain, accompanied by isolated hailstorms, are expected in several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner and other areas.
