PESHAWAR: Six people were injured in lightning strike as rain and hailstorm lashed large parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday as Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a flood advisory for River Kabul and its tributaries.

Six people suffered injuries after the car they’re travelling in was struck by lightning in Tangai area of Charsadda district amid downpour and hailstorm.

Residents said the heavy rain and hailstorm badly damaged wheat crops and fruit trees in Mandani, Tangi and Doulat Pur areas and tobacco crop in Hashtnagar area.

Six houses were washed away by the flood caused by the torrential rains on Friday afternoon in Broze village of Lower Chitral, which also blocked Peshawar Road by inundating it.

PDMA issues flood alert for River Kabul, tributaries

Deputy commissioner of Lower Chitral Mohsin Iqbal told Dawn that no casualty was reported as people of the affected village fled to safety after receiving early warning. Cloudburst was reported to be the main reason for the flooding, according to him.

The DC said that the widespread torrential rains have lashed the length and breadth of the valley causing blockage of vehicular traffic in the roads passing through hilly roads of Garam Chashma, Sheshi Koh, Kalash valleys, Golen and Arsoon.

An official of Rescue 1122 said that hundreds of vehicles were stranded on Chitral-Peshawar Road segment at the affected village of Broze out of which many ambulances were shifting passengers to Peshawar from Chitral.

He said workers of Rescue 1122 helped shift patients and the injured to the other side with the help of stretchers.

Hailstorm, thunderstorm and rain lashed Swabi district, damaging standing crops of wheat and tobacco.

Farmers from Maneri Bala and Saleem Khan areas said the hailstorm had badly damaged wheat and tobacco crops, and vegetables.

Wisal Mohammad of Maneri Bala region reported damage to the wheat crop that isready for harvesting within a week and said it would cause serious loss to growers.

Meanwhile, in an advisory issued to the district administration, the PDMA said that the Flood Forecasting Division has forecast a strong westerly wave approaching the upper parts of the country.

It said the weather system was likely to significantly affect the upper parts of the province, bringing widespread rainfall and associated weather activity, which could cause flash floods in the tributaries of the River Kabul.

The PDMA directed the district administration to closely monitor those areas due to potential for rapid runoff and localised flooding.

It also recommended measures by authorities to prevent damage to public life and property, infrastructure, crops and cattle.

“Authorities may be requested to take the following safety measures including identification of vulnerable points and at-risk communities and devise mitigation and safety measures, maintaining enhanced alert level and monitoring of developing situations to reduce reaction and response times, and Rescue 1122 and civil defence to remain alert and ensure availability of personnel and equipment during the period,” read the advisory.

It added that residents, including farmers and cattle herders, should be forewarned to shift cattle away from low lying areas adjacent to the River Kabul and its associated nullahs, while provision of relief and medical supplies to calamity-hit people in timely manner and coordinating with the relevant departments should be ensured to clear roads.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2025