Heavy rain triggers flooding; roads blocked, tourists stranded

CHITRAL: Heavy  rain that started on Friday triggered flooding and landsliding in different parts of Chitral, blocking the main Chitral-Peshawar and Chitral-Mastuj roads. 

The rain caused heavy flooding in streams and nullahs and landsliding in different areas, cutting of the Kalash and Garam Chashma valleys as well. 

The Chitral-Peshawar road was blocked at Kaldam in Drosh and Chumarkhon due to flooding in nullahs while Mastuj road was also blocked due to landsliding at different points, including Nerdit and Kari.

A large number of tourists who reached Kalash valleys on Eidul Fitr holidays were stranded in Bumburate and other areas due to the road blockades.

Kutcha houses were also damaged and roads blocked in different parts of both Lower and Upper Chitral. There were also reports about snowfall in Upper Chitral on Saturday morning.

Two houses were damaged one after the other in Chew Doke near Chitral town and after being alerted Rescue staff reached the affected area and shifted an injured child to hospital. The child remained stuck in the collapsed house for about two hours and was rescued safely.

Another house was also hit by landslide in the same Chew Doke area. Rescuers helped the inmates in retrieving household items this morning.

Moreover, flooding after rain in nullahs blocked roads. Tourists were stranded in Chumarkhon village after their vehicles stranded in floodwater. They were also rescued by staff of the emergency service.

The Garam Chashma road was also blocked near Bilphok village and the rescue staff removed the debris and reopened the road.

The Met Office has forecast more rain till April 15 after which the district administrations in Khyber Pakthunkhwa have been put on alert to meet any emergency situation.