PESHAWAR - Thirteen people have been killed in heavy rain and strong winds in the provincial capital.
Reportedly, seven people were killed after roofs caved in different areas of the capital as sudden heavy spell of rain with windstorm started late Thursday. The death toll rose to 13 by Friday night as dead bodies of five persons were retrieved from a vehicle that plunged into a canal at Nasir Bagh Road.
District Administration spokesman Feroz Shah told The Nation that the death toll rose to 13 as a vehicle, owned by Tariq, plunged into a canal in Nasir Bagh area, killing five persons of a family. They were identified as Tariq, his wife, Ahsan Tariq, Memona Tariq and Aman Tariq. They were shifted to Hayatabad Medical Complex where all of them were pronounced dead.
Rainwater inundated various houses in Badhbera Arbab road, Landi Arbab, Gul Barg, Phando, Sufed Sang and other areas. More than two dozen people sustained wounds in the rain-related incidents. The injured are being treated in the Lady Reading Hospital, Khyber Teaching Hospital and Hayatabad Medical Complex.
Besides casualties, the rain also damaged electricity pylon and heavy transmission lines, causing inconvenience to consumers. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan visited the Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar and enquired after their health. He directed for provision of best treatment facilities to the injured people.
The senior medical authorities of the complex also accompanied the governor. KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak visited various hospitals in the city, including the LRH and HMC Peshawar where he enquired after the health of the injured. On this occasion, he was accompanied by Provincial Minister for Information Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani and other authorities.
During the visit, the chief minister met all the injured and assured that till their recovery and discharging from the hospital they would be provided free treatment, adding that the financial assistance would also be given to the affected ones. For this purpose, the CM also issued necessary directives to the Chief executives and Medical superintendents of both hospitals and warned that no stone should be left unturned in provision of treatment facilities to the injured.
Similarly, he asked the divisional and district administrations to arrange adequate funds for treatment, medicines and compensation to the bereaved families. The chief minister on listening about the hurricane in Peshawar summoned all medical staff for duty. He announced a compensation of Rs0.3 million for the family of each killed; Rs50,000 for each injured; and financial assistance of Rs0.1 million for any person disabled in the incident under the natural calamity package.
Last Friday, downpour followed by hailstorm played havoc with the KP capital, killing 16 people and injuring more than five dozen. Most of the casualties were a result of collapsing buildings and walls in Lewane Baba Nothia, Faqirabad, Wazri Bagh, Lahori Gate, Phandu, Barisko, Ladny Sarak, Dir Colony and other areas. Four students were killed when roof of a seminary caved in at Akhunabad. Ten students sustained wounds in the collapse. They were rushed to the Lady Reading Hospital.
A house collapsed in Lewni Baba left two people critically injured critically while another four were injured in a wall-fall at Faqeerabad. Another house was collapsed in Wazir Bagh area where two persons were injured and shifted to the Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. Another house was damaged in Phando area where four persons were injured.
People facing hardships due to the rain complained that they felt abandoned as entire KP cabinet, including Chief Minister Khattak, was busy with their 'Azadi March' and so far no PTI leader could reach the spot or hospital to inquire after the victims.
Rescuers were facing problems due to choked roads, and traffic jams and expressed fears that the death-toll may increase. Severe hail storms hit parts of the Peshawar on Friday evening playing havoc with life and properties in Akhundabad, Gujjarabad, Wazirbagh, Faqirabad and other areas of the city.
Earlier, Rescue 1122 personnel confirmed that they had reports of at least 11 people dying and more than 50 others injured during the heavy downpour. Edhi sources had however said, the death toll might be higher as the rescue workers were still busy in rescue activities.
The families of the victims have castigated the authorities and the government for irresponsible behavior, as many people are still stranded in the rain-ravaged areas.