Peshawar: At least 17 people were killed and 56 others injured in multiple roof and wall collapse incidents triggered by heavy rainfall in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, officials confirmed on Monday.
Heavy Rains Trigger Deadly Collapses
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), continuous rainfall since March 25 led to several incidents of roofs and walls collapsing across different districts. Many of the victims were trapped under debris as poorly constructed structures gave way under the pressure of rainwater.
Authorities reported that the casualties included a large number of children, highlighting the vulnerability of residential structures in the region.
Children Among Majority of Victims
Tragically, 14 of the 17 deceased were children, while several women were also among the victims.
In one of the worst-hit areas, Bannu district, eight people including seven children lost their lives, while dozens were injured.
Another major incident occurred in Abbottabad, where five members of a family, including four young girls, died after a house roof collapsed during heavy rain.
Multiple Districts Affected
The rain-related incidents were reported from several districts, including Bannu, Abbottabad, Kohat, North Waziristan, and Battagram.
In Kohat, at least two children were killed when a house roof caved in, while another fatality was reported in North Waziristan.
Officials also confirmed that at least 11 houses were damaged, some partially and others completely destroyed due to the extreme weather conditions.
Community Centre Collapse Adds to Toll
In a particularly severe incident, the roof of a veranda at a community centre collapsed in Kotka Ghulam Qadir, injuring dozens of people gathered there.
The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, with several reported to be in critical condition.
Rescue Operations Underway
Rescue teams, along with local residents, launched immediate operations to pull survivors from the rubble and transport the injured to hospitals. Authorities said relief efforts were ongoing, though intermittent rainfall has hampered rescue work in some areas.
Emergency services have also been put on alert in vulnerable districts, with warnings issued to residents living in fragile structures.
Weather Conditions Remain Unstable
Meteorological officials have warned that intermittent rainfall is expected to continue in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raising fears of further incidents.
Experts note that many homes in the region are constructed with mud or weak materials, making them highly susceptible to collapse during heavy rains.
Recurring Issue in Region
Rain-related disasters, including roof collapses and flooding, are a recurring problem in Pakistan’s northwestern regions. Poor infrastructure, lack of urban planning, and extreme weather patterns often combine to create deadly situations.
Authorities have repeatedly emphasised the need for stronger construction standards and disaster preparedness measures to prevent such tragedies.
The latest incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa underline the devastating impact of heavy rains and fragile infrastructure. With rescue operations still underway and more rain forecast, concerns remain high over the safety of residents in vulnerable areas.