Flash Floods and Lightning Kill 10 in Battagram, Dozens Missing

Battagram – At least 10 people have lost their lives and several others remain missing after powerful lightning strikes and sudden flash floods wreaked havoc in Union Council Shamlai, located in the remote Battagram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to local sources, the disaster struck late last night, destroying between six and eight houses and sweeping away an estimated 30 to 40 residents. Eyewitnesses reported a terrifying scene as heavy rains triggered floods that surged through homes and settlements with little warning.

Rescue teams have been dispatched to the affected area; however, challenging terrain and damaged access routes have severely hampered relief operations. Local officials confirmed that six bodies were recovered in the initial search, and by this morning, the death toll had risen to at least 10.

Efforts to find the missing are ongoing, with rescue personnel working around the clock despite difficult weather conditions and limited resources.

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Residents have issued urgent appeals to the government for immediate support, including search-and-rescue aid, emergency shelter, food supplies, and medical assistance. Local authorities are assessing the full extent of the damage and have pledged to expedite relief efforts.

This latest tragedy underscores the growing vulnerability of mountainous communities to climate-related disasters, as extreme weather events continue to increase in frequency and intensity across the region.