Heavy rain and flash floods strike northwestern Pakistan, killing 8

At least eight fatalities were reported after heavy rain triggered flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, northwestern Pakistan, on September 30, 2019.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority said five of the victims died after buildings collapsed in separate incidents in Mardan districts.

The three others were children who were swept away by floods in Maidan area of Dir Lower district. The victims were identified as the grandchildren of local, Sher Rehman.

Residents offered help to search for the bodies and as of current reports, only two have been retrieved. Search operations are still ongoing for the last victim.

Three people were also reportedly injured in Swabi district after a roof collapsed.

In Bajaur district, two residential areas were destroyed by floodwaters. No casualties were reported.

In Barang, heavy rains triggered a landslide that blocked the road. Crops were also badly affected.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department said more heavy rain is expected in the following days, while hail-windstorm is also predicted to hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, North Balochistan, and Upper Sindh.

From July to September 2019, more than 230 people died and 180 others were injured in rain-related incidents, according to the country's National Disaster Management Authority.

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