Authorities have rescued 250 tourists stranded at Kumrat Valley after flash floods. Heavy rains triggered flash floods. Roads and bridges were washed away in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The main road leading to Kumrat Valley has been washed away at Barikot. It has cut off the valley from the entire province. Three bridges connecting the road have also been damaged.
Hundreds of tourists were stranded in different parts of the Kumrat Valley. All have been evacuated safely, says the spokesman of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Authority Saas Awais.
“Of them, 250 have been rescued who have left for their homes, while the rest have been shifted to hotels where they are being provided with free services,” he told Arab News. “All of the tourists were Pakistanis.”
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Two rescue 1122 teams were dispatched to Kumrat Valley to evacuate tourists. Awais said continuous downpours, followed by floods, severely hampered rescue operations, saying that local residents, Rescue 1122, police, and civil defense personnel were making all-out efforts to reopen the roads.
The roads are closed due to landslides and will take at least two days to open. Heavy machinery is also being used to remove obstacles from roads in Kumrat Valley, but incessant rains are hampering the efforts.
Kumrat Valley is a beautiful place in Pakistan. It’s known for its lush green forests and cool weather. Many people visit here during the summer.
The forest is about 35 kilometers long and has many waterfalls, springs, and streams. The trees there are very big and old.
One of the most popular places in the forest is Kala Chashma. It’s a small spring that people believe has healing properties. Jeeps can cross the Panjkora River near this spring.