Cloudburst triggers flash flooding in Booni Gol

BOONI: Booni Gol received a flash flood of high intensity caused by cloudburst on Saturday afternoon, the district administration said quoting a geologist report.

The high-speed flood passing through its straight pathway washed away a jeepable bridge over the stream besides damaging public properties, including croplands, trees and one house along its course. The sudden flood also created panic among residents who fled to safer places.

The flood after entering the river also obstructed its flow, pushing up the water and forming a lake. People downstream were warned to stay away from the river as its volume was increasing.

Rescue 1122 Upper Chitral said its staffers were helping people affected by the flood and arranging temporary steel bridges to facilitate their mobility. The emergency service is on high alert in the area.     

Rescue 1122 Lower Chitral personnel while using loudspeaker started warning residents of houses and hotels located along River Chitral to move to safer places after the Booni Gol flood.

On the other hand, the district administration in Lower Chitral launched action against those found collecting firewood from the flooding rivers. Earlier, Section 144 had been imposed and locals were told not to take the risk of drowning while collecting wood from the rivers that were on high flood. 

The PDMA had already warned of GLOFs in the mountainous areas of KP from Aug 3 to Aug 6 and cautioning administrations and residents to stay away from rivers, nullahs and other vulnerable points.

Meanwhile, in a statement, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur ordered the concerned departments to shift people living along the Booni Gol to safer places. He also ordered that holidays of all government officials be cancelled so that they can help the affected people.