PESHAWAR: Four people were killed in rain-related incidents in Peshawar and Kohat as continuing rains and snowfall disrupted routine life in upper parts of Hazara and Malakand divisions on Tuesday.

In Peshawar, two people were killed and as many others injured in a rain-related incident in the outskirt Inqilab Road locality in Chamkani area.

Rescue 1122 officials said that the roof of a dilapidated house collapsed, burying four people. The rescuers pulled them out after 30-minute operation.

The officials said two of them died and two others suffered injuries. The deceased were identified as Ijaz Ali Khan and Rab Nawaz, and the injured included Dilawar and Saeed.

In Kohat, two persons, including a woman, were buried alive when their house collapsed in Ghamkol Afghan refugee camp No 1 due to heavy rain on Monday night.

Upper parts of Hazara, Malakand receive heavy snowfall

A resident of the camp Habibullah said that the local volunteers after hearing a heavy sound rushed outside and found that a house had collapsed.

The volunteers and Rescue 1122 officials pulled out the bodies and shifted them to the KDA teaching hospital.

The victims were identified as Laal Bibi and Hashmat Khan who were laid to rest on Tuesday. Several cattle also died in the incident.

One Khayal Mohammad said that perhaps the roof of the house had become weak due to continuous rain that started on Monday morning. He said all the houses in the camp were made of mud about 30 years ago and needed repairs.

In Mansehra, continuing rains and snowfall badly affected electricity supply and traffic system in upper parts of Hazara while 10 people sustained injuries in an accident in Chaterplan area on Tuesday.

The first heavy snowfall of the season started in mountainous parts of the division early on Monday and continued intermittently on Tuesday.

The link roads are blocked in Siren, Konsh and Kaghan valleys in Mansehra district and some parts of Kohistan and Torghar districts.

The Pakhal electricity feeder which tripped following start of snowfall couldn’t be restored.

As many as 10 people sustained injuries when a truck slipped on snow-covered KKH and rammed into a passenger van in Chaterplan area.

In Upper Dir, heavy snowfall continued for the third consecutive day on Tuesday due to which routine life was badly affected and the residents mostly remained indoors.

The temperature in mountainous areas, including Lowari Top, Kumrat, Thal, Doog Darra, Upper Brawal, Dobando Darra and Usheri Darra, fell to -7 degrees Celsius. These areas received two to five feet snow, leaving most of the link roads in Upper Kohistan, Doog Darra and other areas blocked.

The Met office here said that the minimum temperature recorded in Dir city was -2. Local sources said that people in mountainous parts of Upper Dir district had been facing shortage of food items. The residents of some of the affected areas also complained about suspension of electricity.

In Shangla, various parts of the district received heavy snowfall after 10 years, which blocked almost all main routes and link roads to traffic, paralysing the routine life.

A fresh spell of snowfall started on Saturday evening and it continued on Tuesday. Ajmir, Pir Khana, Yakhtangay, Shangla top, Cherh, Kapar Banda and Gamtal received up to 4 feet snow during last four days. Power supply remained suspended in 70 per cent of areas due to the heavy snowfall during last four days.

In Khar, heavy snowfall was reported from parts of Bajaur tribal district.

The residents said that up to 10 inches of snow was reported in the mountainous areas.

Published in Dawn, January 8th, 2020