The emergency rescue service’s director general, Dr Khateer Ahmad, confirmed the death toll in an official statement, saying that 15 deaths were reported from Bannu, Seven from Lakki Marwat and four from Karak.
The statement said roofs and walls had collapsed in most of the rain-related accidents reported from the affected areas.Rescue operations were under way in the three affected districts, it added.
Separately, a statement issued by the KP Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement spokesperson said the department’s secretary had issued directives to expedite the rescue work.“The affected people will be provided relief in line with government policies,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, KP interim Information Minister Barrister Feroze Jamal Kakakhel said in a statement the provincial government was in touch with district administrators in Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Karak.
Hospitals in the affected areas had been put on high alert while Rescue 1122 and the provincial disaster management authority (PDMA) were conducting rescue operations, he said.
The statement added that an assessment of rain losses was also being carried out.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives in the rain-related incidents and extended condolences to bereaved families, state-run APP reported, citing a statement issued by the premier’s media wing.
The statement said PM Shehbaz had directed the National Disaster Management Authority to ensure steps were taken for relief and rehabilitation in the affected areas and to work in cooperation with the PDMA and Rescue 1122.
PM Shehbaz sought within the next 24 hours a report from relevant authorities on relief activities and the extent of damage, the statement added.
According to a Met Office forecast shared by the PDMA on Saturday evening, “very hot and dry weather” is expected in most districts of KP over the next 24 hours.
But there were chances of wind/dust storms and isolated rain-thunderstorm in most plain areas of the province in the evening and at night, the statement said.
It added that isolated spells of rain and wind/thunderstorms were expected in Chitral, Lower and Upper Dir, Buner, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Torghar, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram and Waziristan districts in the evening and at night.
Wind/dust storms may cause damage to loose infrastructure in Kurram, Hangu, Orakzai, North and South Waziristan, Tank, Kohat, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Charsadda, Peshawar, Khyber and Nowshera districts, the statement said.
“All concerned authorities are advised to remain alert during the forecast period,” it said.
