Flash floods damage bridge, crops in Mianwali

As a result, road connectivity between Chapri and Kot Chandana, Tola Mangli, Mohabbat Khel, Alf Khel and Janjuani has been severely affected. The damage is not limited to the Chapri-Kot Chandana Road. A bridge on the Chapri-Kamar Mashani Road, constructed in 2017, has also remained non-functional due to incomplete work, including the construction of shoulders and other necessary works.

Meanwhile, an embankment of Nullah Adwala near Kamar Mashani Thal was breached, causing floodwater to enter the fields of Wandha Kamalzai and Wandha Nanzian Wala. Hundreds of kanals of standing crops were damaged, while the floodwater reached areas near the deras on the outskirts of Kamar Mashani.

Another breach occurred in the eastern embankment of Nullah Adwala at Kacha Barzi, allowing floodwater to enter agricultural fields. Farmers fear severe damage to millet, maize and other crops.

Local residents and farmers said they had repeatedly raised concerns over the weak shoulders of the bridge and the condition of embankments and flood channels since last year, urging the authorities to strengthen them. However, they alleged that the local administration and relevant departments failed to take timely action.

They said the latest damage to a bridge built at a cost of millions of rupees, along with losses to agricultural land, had once again highlighted the area's vulnerability to flash floods from hill torrents.

Residents called for immediate measures to strengthen embankments, bridge shoulders and flood channels, as well as clearing silt and debris from the beds of hill torrents and underneath bridges to reduce the risk of future flooding.