Rain plays havoc: Mahandri Bridge washes away, tourists stranded in Kaghan Valley

ISLAMABAD:  Torrential rains unleashing chaos across the upper parts of Pakistan has washed away the Mahandri Bridge leaving many tourists stranded in Kaghan Valley.

The Met Department has issued warnings of potential flooding in multiple regions of Pakistan due to heavy rains. Areas at risk include Azad Kashmir, northeast Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Koh-e-Sulaiman, and the adjacent hills of Balochistan.

The torrential rains have battered several districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit-Baltistan, impacting infrastructure and cutting off local communities.

In Kaghan Valley, the destruction of the Mahandri Bridge has severed a crucial transportation link, effectively isolating the area.

This bridge was vital for access to Naran and other parts of the valley, making it a popular route for tourists exploring the region. The loss of this infrastructure has not only stranded tourists but also disrupted the daily lives of local residents.

According to Kaghan Development Authority (KDA) around 10 to15000 tourists are currently present in Kaghan. They said no charges will be taken from tourists regarding their lodging and food.

Tourists from across Pakistan and abroad who flocked to the valley for its cool climate and stunning vistas now find themselves trapped. Many are confined to hotels and guesthouses with dwindling supplies, while others are taking refuge in temporary shelters set up by local authorities.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has warned tourists to avoid unnecessary traveling in view of landslides washing away of bridges and possible flash floods

Heavy rainfall in Lower Dir has led to flooding in the Maidan river at Balambat in Timergara. Swabi has experienced intermittent rains, with water entering houses in Sharifabad and rescue teams working to extract water using pumps. In Kotha, the roof of a house collapsed due to the rain, burying two cattle under the debris, with rescue operations in progress.

Chitral and Lower Dir have faced severe flooding in several areas due to heavy rain, including Reshun Valley and other streams of Upper Chitral. The floods have caused extensive damage to residential houses, gardens, and agricultural lands, and have disrupted vehicular traffic. Similar flooding has been reported in the rivers of Koghuzi, Shishi Koh, and Kalash Valley in Lower Chitral, inundating low-lying areas.

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Due to heavy rain in several places of upper and lower Chitral in the late night, flood situation. Standing crops, houses and gardens were severely damaged.

In Muzaffarabad, Neelum and Jhelum valleys, persistent rain has created pleasant weather conditions but has also caused road closures, particularly on the highway connecting Muzaffarabad to Rawalpindi at Kohala. The Met Department predicts continued rain for the next day. 

In Harnai and its adjoining areas, heavy rains have persisted through the night, causing floods in rivers and canals and suspending traffic on the Harnai-Quetta highway. The high-level flood relay in the Zardalu river has also damaged nearby agricultural lands.

Khyber district and its suburbs have experienced intermittent rain, resulting in a drop in temperature and the arrival of rainy trains in rivers and canals.

The rains in Swat have caused flooding in the upper areas of Kalam. A temporary land passage has been washed away, suspending connections with the upper areas. Heavy machinery has reached to restore the passage. 

All the departments, including NHA, have been directed to remain alert, a spokesman said, adding that steps are being taken to keep the roads open in Swat, Kalam and other tourist spots.