Peshawar : At least 33 people, including eight Pakistani security personnel, were today killed when torrential rains hit a region bordering Afghanistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, triggering flash floods, officials said.
Around 30 houses were demolished in the rainstorm caused by continuous heavy rainfall that began late yesterday and were concentrated mainly in the northwestern province of Khybher Pakthunkwa.
The worst hit district was south west Chitral district, where flood waters swept away a mosque at the time when special Ramzan prayers were being held inside, dozens of houses and army post in the remote village of Ursoon, a media report said.
At least 33 people, including eight security officials, were killed and 17 people were reportedly missing in Ursoon Village while as many were injured due to flash flooding in the area occurred due to the over flow of the Chitral river, DPO Chitral Asif Iqbal said.
Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) was in contact with the district administration for rescue and relief efforts, according to a statement released by the authority.
Around 82 houses were affected by the waters and efforts were underway to provide food and relief items to the villagers, the statement said.
KP Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the losses caused by the flooding and directed the authorities concerned to speed up the rescue and relief efforts in the affected area.
He also directed the administration to take all precautionary measures to save the lives and properties of the people.
PTI