Bajaur: The death toll from a cloudburst in Bajaur’s Salarzai area has risen to 18, while three people remain missing.

According to details, lightning strikes, torrential rains, and a cloudburst have crippled life across several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In Salarzai, four houses were completely destroyed, and rescue teams, aided by heavy machinery, continue operations to locate the missing individuals.

Five people were killed and four were injured when a roof collapsed in Lower Dir, two people were killed when a car was flowing into a drain in Balakot buses in Mansehra, while more than 25 tourists were safely evacuated in a river drainage in Shahi Kot.

High-level flooding in rivers and streams, including the Chitral River, has inundated several acres of agricultural land in Upper and Lower Chitral. In Devosira and Donich streams, three houses were completely destroyed.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has instructed the administrations of affected districts to remain on high alert, utilize all available resources for rescue and relief operations, and ensure precautionary measures are in place to prevent further losses.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the authorities concerned to accelerate the rescue operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, after a cloudburst caused deaths and a flood situation.

The prime minister, in a statement, expressed grief over the deaths and prayed for peace for those who lost their lives in the flash flood.

He also conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for strength for them to bear the loss.

He also directed the provision of immediate and all possible medical assistance to the injured.