Landi Kotal Floods Paralyze Highway, Disrupt Daily Life

LANDI KOTAL: (Hijrat Ali Afridi )-  Landi Kotal has been hit by torrential rains, causing widespread flooding, damaging homes, and paralyzing the Pak-Afghan Highway, severely disrupting daily life on Tuesday. The downpours have also affected ongoing matriculation examinations and the repatriation of Afghan refugees.

Several mud houses in Khyber and Shinwari suffered partial collapse, with walls and roofs weakened by the heavy rainfall. Residents highlighted the vulnerability of local infrastructure during extreme weather events.

Flash floods inundated sections of the Pak-Afghan Highway, a vital route linking Pakistan and Afghanistan. Authorities reported that the highway remained closed for nearly four hours, stranding hundreds of vehicles and halting traffic. The disruption also delayed the repatriation of Afghan refugees and caused hardships for patients, commuters, and daily travelers.

Students appearing for Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exams faced major challenges, with some unable to reach examination centers on time due to blocked roads and rising floodwaters.

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Local residents emphasized the recurring nature of such disasters, pointing to the lack of proper bridges and rainwater storage dams as major contributing factors. “We face the same situation every year, but no practical steps have been taken,” said a local elder, urging federal and provincial governments to prioritize infrastructure development.

Experts warn that climate change is intensifying rainfall patterns in Landi Kotal, leading to more frequent and severe flooding. Despite a damage assessment survey conducted by the district administration last year, affected families claim they have yet to receive compensation, further deepening frustration among residents. Authorities have yet to announce immediate relief or a long-term mitigation plan.