SHANGLA: A powerful storm accompanied by torrential rain and strong winds caused widespread damage across several areas of Shangla district late Sunday night, damaging houses, schools, electricity infrastructure and road links while leaving many areas without power for hours.
According to residents and local officials, the severe weather affected Alpurai, Chakesar, Kana, Puran, Shahpur, Ranyal and nearby rural areas. Strong winds uprooted trees, tore off rooftops and disrupted electricity supply across the mountainous district.
Residents said the weather changed suddenly during the night as intense rainfall and windstorms swept through the region, damaging weak residential structures in several villages.
Houses and schools damaged
In tehsil Chakesar, at least 11 houses reportedly suffered major damage, while nine homes in Alpuri were partially or severely affected. Several school buildings also sustained damage after strong winds uprooted tin roofs and boundary structures.
Fallen trees blocked roads and damaged parked vehicles in different localities, causing financial losses to residents. Despite the large-scale destruction, no casualties had been reported at the time of filing this report.
Many affected families were forced to spend the night outdoors or seek shelter in neighbouring houses and mosques after their homes became unsafe.
Electricity outages hit multiple areas
The storm also damaged power infrastructure, with electricity poles and transmission lines collapsing in several areas, leading to prolonged outages in Alpurai, Chakesar, Kana, Puran, Shahpur and surrounding villages.
Residents said the suspension of electricity disrupted water supply systems and mobile communication networks in remote mountainous areas.
Local residents and social activists urged the district administration and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority to conduct damage assessments and provide emergency relief to affected families.
Officials from the Meteorological Department have forecast more rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds in upper parts of the country in the coming days. Authorities advised residents in vulnerable areas to take precautionary measures and avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather conditions.
Rescue and maintenance teams were working to restore electricity and clear blocked roads, although officials warned that ongoing bad weather and difficult terrain could delay full restoration efforts.
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