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MARDAN/SWABI Flash floods triggered by torrential rains devastated large areas in Mardan and Swabi districts on Sunday morning, killing at least 13 people and sweeping away hundreds of houses.
The rains flooded drains, submerged roads and inundated crops. A state of emergency was declared in the affected areas and district governments sought the help of army and the provincial government to cope with the effects of the calamity.
About 250 houses collapsed and dozens of compounds were partially damaged after the Kalu Khan and Adina Badri nullahs overflowed.
Reports that three children drowned in the torrent were not confirmed by the police.
The villages worst affected in Mardan district are Garhi Dolatzai, Muhib Banda, Shahbaz Garhi, Baroo Banda, Garyala and Rustam.
Bodies of seven of the 13 people who drowned in Bachazai, Zihida and Shahbaz Garhi areas have been found. Six bodies are still missing.
Although flash floods always afflict Mardan and Peshawar districts after heavy rains but provincial and district governments are yet to take adequate measures to protect people's lives and property.
In Muhib Banda a villager told Dawn that his house had been inundated and his family had lost everything.
In Swabi, the district administration declared emergency in Adeena, Ismalia and Kalu Khan areas. Over 250 houses were damaged and the Swabi-Mardan road was submerged.
The Khat Kili bridge built at a cost of Rs10.3 million by the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal government was washed away.
It was for the first time Badri Nullah overflowed its banks rendering thousands of people homeless. Helpless villagers were fleeing homes and running to safe place.
Local people said that had the flood hit their villages at night many people would have been killed.
The most affected villages are Shewa, Sheikh Jana, Kernel Sher Khan Kili, Adeena, Islamia and Asota. Crops of maize and rice were submerged.
APP adds NWFP Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti visited the affected areas in Mardan district.
He directed the district administration to prepare estimates of damage and provide immediate assistance to the affected people.
A spokesman for emergency response unit said two trucks of relief goods were sent to Mardan for the people.
He said that necessary funds had been issued to the Mardan commissioner for speedy rehabilitation of the affected people.
