Landi Kotal Flash Flood Today Sweeps Away Afghan Family in KP

PESHAWAR – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – Heavy rains triggered a deadly flash flood today in Landi Kotal, a tehsil in Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A vehicle carrying an Afghan family, who were heading back to their home country, got caught in the sudden surge of water. The tragedy has once again put a spotlight on the dangers of monsoon rains in the region.

Rescue 1122 officials confirmed that the car was swept away close to Sultan Khel Market. As soon as the news broke, rescue teams rushed to the spot and began search operations right away.

So far, three bodies have been pulled from the floodwaters. Local divers, working closely with Rescue 1122 staff, managed to recover the bodies of a woman and a man from the Jamrud area. A short while later, the body of a child was also found in a nearby spot called Parang Sang.

During the ongoing Jamrud flood rescue mission, workers also discovered the body of another man. He has been identified as a local resident of Jamrud town. Teams are still searching the area, hoping to find any remaining missing persons.

This isn’t an isolated event. Just a village away, in Mardan’s Kalu Dheri, a home’s roof gave way under the weight of the rain. Two young children lost their lives in that accident. Their mother and older sister, who is fourteen, were hurt and are now being treated at Mardan Medical Complex Hospital.

Weather experts had already warned about this. Last week, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said heavy rains were expected across many parts of the country, especially in Khyber and Mardan, between July 19 and July 23.

Given the forecast, officials didn’t wait around. Shah Fahad, who heads Rescue 1122 in Khyber, held an urgent online meeting with his team. He told district officers to stay alert and be ready to act at short notice.

Rescue boats, extra staff, and special equipment have already been sent to flood-prone spots across the district. Teams are also patrolling rivers and streams non-stop, keeping an eye out for any sudden rise in water levels.

People living nearby have been asked to be careful. Officials suggest avoiding travel unless it’s necessary, staying far from rivers and water channels, and calling the 1122 helpline right away if they spot any danger.

The power supply company for the area, Pesco, has also stepped in. A special control room has been set up, and repair teams are on standby in case storms damage electrical lines. Residents have been told to stay away from poles and wires, especially if water has gathered nearby.

Meanwhile, Azad Jammu and Kashmir is also feeling the impact of this spell of rain. In Neelum district, two houses were completely destroyed just a day earlier. Local officials say sixteen more homes were partly damaged, along with dozens of shops, some vehicles, and several motorcycles.

Roads, bridges, and even a mosque suffered damage too. Officials in the area are now working to clear debris and repair the roads that were washed out.

With more rain expected through the coming days, families in flood-hit regions are being urged to stay cautious and follow safety advice from local authorities.