Heavy rainfall in Lower Chitral on Tuesday caused the Baroz Gol and Gumbas Gol streams to swell once again, triggering widespread destruction across the surrounding areas, according to the district administration.
The flooding washed away two temporary bridges built over the Gumbas and Baroz streams, cutting off local access routes. Several houses, shops, and a petrol station sustained damage as floodwaters surged through the area.
The flood also swept away a water channel supplying more than 400 households, cutting off the drinking water supply for residents in the affected area.
Local residents reported that standing crops across a large area were destroyed by the combined effect of heavy rain and flash flooding, dealing a blow to the local agricultural economy.
A section of the Chitral-Peshawar Road was also affected by the flooding, disrupting traffic and hampering movement in and out of the area. Following several hours of continuous effort, the district administration confirmed that the road has since been reopened to traffic.
Officials said the reopening is expected to speed up relief operations, with work now underway to clear debris from affected houses, shops, and hotels, and to restore the damaged water channel.
This marks the second time this month that flooding has struck Gumbas Gol and Baroz Gol, raising renewed concern over the vulnerability of temporary infrastructure in the area to recurring flash floods.