November 4, 2025
Web desk
PESHAWAR,
Heavy rain and hailstorms accompanied by thunder and lightning lashed the districts of Dir and Swat early Tuesday morning, marking the onset of winter and plunging temperatures across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In Lower and Upper Dir, dark clouds blanketed the sky as torrential rain and hail battered the region, triggering flash floods in local streams and disrupting traffic on major routes including the GT Road. Landslides and road erosion in the hilly areas forced residents to stay indoors as slippery roads posed further danger.
The storm caused significant damage to standing crops, fruit orchards, and several vehicles, while power outages plunged large parts of the district into darkness. Local authorities said restoration work was underway, though continuous rainfall was hampering progress.
In Swat, the situation was similar. Heavy rainfall and hail brought a sharp drop in temperature across the valley. In Mingora, overflowing drains and poor drainage exposed the inefficiency of the Water and Sanitation Services Company (WSSC), as rainwater accumulated on major roads, causing severe inconvenience to commuters.
