Tragedy Strikes South Waziristan as Roof Collapse Claims Four Lives

Husband, wife and two children die after dilapidated house caves in during heavy rainfall; residents urge government to provide relief and safer housing.

Hamid Khan Wazir

WANA: In one of Pakistan's most neglected and underdeveloped tribal districts, a man, his wife and their two children were killed after the roof of their dilapidated house collapsed during heavy rainfall in South Waziristan, police and rescue officials said on Wednesday.

The incident occurred in Ahmad Wam Bangay Wala in Sararogha tehsil, where the family was asleep when the roof of a room suddenly caved in during the early hours of the day.

Police identified the deceased as Wajidullah, his wife, their son and their daughter. All four were buried under the debris and died at the scene.

It is pertienent to  mentoin here that at least 20 people have lost their lives and 19 others have been injured in rain- and flood-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since July 19, as torrential monsoon rains battered several districts, triggering flash floods, roof collapses and widespread damage.

The tragedy has left the local community in mourning, with residents expressing deep sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family. They also urged the government and district administration to provide immediate financial assistance and alternative housing for the surviving family members.

Initial reports suggest the roof collapsed after being severely weakened by the recent spell of heavy rain.

Meanwhile, flash floods in Lower South Waziristan washed away large tracts of agricultural land after seasonal streams overflowed. Residents urged the provincial government to construct protective embankments to safeguard farmland from recurring flood damage.

At least 20 people have lost their lives and 19 others have been injured in rain- and flood-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since July 19, as torrential monsoon rains battered several districts, triggering flash floods, roof collapses and widespread damage, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

The deceased included seven men, eight children and three women, while the injured comprised 11 men, four women and four children. The affected districts include Peshawar, Nowshera, Khyber, Mardan, Buner, Bajaur, Shangla, Swabi, Upper and Lower Dir, Lower Chitral, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Tor Ghar, Kurram, and North and South Waziristan.

The PDMA said at least 30 houses had been damaged, including seven that were completely destroyed and 23 partially affected. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has also warned of possible flash floods, urban flooding and landslides in mountainous areas through Thursday, with low-lying parts of Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mardan and Swabi facing an increased risk of inundation. Strong winds and lightning may also damage electricity infrastructure, solar panels and billboards.