Four killed in Pakistan as monsoon rains cause landslides, floods

Flooding in numerous parts of Pakistan has killed at least four people, left three others missing and wreaked havoc on houses, schools, roads and public infrastructure. Torrential monsoon rains and cloudbursts have hit sections of Pakistan.

Flash floods caused by heavy rain in Khyber district washed away two automobiles. Three persons were missing, authorities added. Women and children travelling in the vehicles were rescued. A car was stuck in flood water near Zakariya Mosque in Khuga Khel region but all passengers were recovered safely.

The Chenab River near Head Qadirabad in Hafizabad continued to rise with inflows at 138,000 cusecs and outflows at 115,000 cusecs, causing low-level flooding.

Two government schools washed away by high currents of Indus River at Samran Sheeb locality of Layyah. River erosion has also ruined hundreds of acres of agriculture, some 300 residences, more than five villages, three mosques, electrical poles and other public property.

Heavy rains also washed out the community-built Kohlia Bridge in Hassan Abdal for the second straight year, cutting off road links between numerous border communities of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, affecting daily life.

Cloudbursts caused streams to overflow and inundate homes and shops in Neelum Valley. Main traffic on Neelum Highway was also affected and several vehicles, motorcycles and livestock were carried away near Mengal Nala.

Mansehra: A cloudburst damaged a number of hotels and residential buildings in Jabori region of Mansehra. Sudden flash floods disrupted daily living. Authorities also recommended tourists to keep away from Kunhar River and other water bodies in Kaghan Valley, Siran Valley and other sensitive places owing to the threat of flooding.

Heavy rains in Murree and Galiyat caused a sharp dip in temperature.

Meanwhile, four labourers were killed and three others injured after a landslide hit Budda Las region of Chalt in Nagar district. Rescue officials say the workers were on their way home from work when they were caught in the debris. One of the dead was identified as Shafqat of Layyah, the second as Fida Hussain of Chalt, while the other two were citizens of Kohistan. Their bodies were returned to their home places for burial.