Heavy rains in K-P swell rivers, trigger power outages, disrupt daily life

Peshawar and surrounding areas have been experiencing continuous rainfall since Monday night, ranging from light showers to heavy downpours, which is likely to continue in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) until April 9. By Tuesday morning, the rain intensified, bringing cooler temperatures and causing water to accumulate along roadsides and in low-lying areas. In Dera Lower, heavy rainfall accompanied by thunder has swollen streams and raised water levels in the Panjkora River. The downpour has intensified the chill in the region and caused widespread power outages, with multiple electricity feeders tripping. Local markets have seen limited activity as residents stay indoors due to severe weather. In Khyber District, continuous heavy overnight rainfall has triggered flash floods in rain-fed streams, disrupting traffic at several points along the Pakistan–Afghanistan Highway. Persistent rainfall has also disrupted electricity supply across much of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Feeders in Mardan, Swabi, and Swat have tripped, causing ongoing power cuts in urban areas, including Peshawar. Major disruptions have been reported on highways, including the Peshawar–Islamabad Motorway (M-1), Hakla–Dera Ismail Khan Motorway (M-14), Islamabad–Kot Momin (M-2), Hazara Expressway (E-35), Swat Expressway, Kamoki–Sambrial (M-11), and Sher Shah–Abdul Hakim (M-4). The National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) have urged motorists to drive cautiously, reduce speed, maintain safe distances, and ensure vehicle lights and wipers are working. Sudden braking should be avoided. Assistance is available via the motorway police helpline at 130. In Rustam and the surrounding areas, heavy rain with thunder after Fajr prayers caused waterlogging on roads and rising streams. Markets saw limited public movement, and Rescue 1122 has been placed on alert. Authorities continue to monitor conditions and advise residents to remain cautious amid ongoing rainfall and potential flooding. Read: Rain-related incidents claim 4 more lives in K-P, death toll reaches 25 At least 25 people have died, and 77 others have been injured in rain-related incidents in several districts of K-P since March 25, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). According to the data shared by the authority, casualties included 18 children, two men, and five women, while the injured comprised 33 men, nine women, and 35 children. The PDMA reported that a total of 88 houses had been damaged since March 25, including 71 that were partially damaged and 17 that were destroyed. The incidents were reported in multiple districts, including Bannu, Abbottabad, Kohat, Peshawar, Nowshera, Bajaur, Lakki Marwat, Kurram, Hangu, Shangla, Buner, Malakand, Upper Dir, Battagram, North Waziristan, and Tank.