Sources say incident occurred when children were playing near edge of stream
ABBOTTABAD:
Relentless rainfall on Thursday continued to wreak havoc across Abbottabad, flooding low-lying areas, blocking major roads, and severely disrupting daily life. Amid the chaos, tragedy struck near the Kala Pul area, where two Afghan children were swept away by a fast-flowing seasonal stream, resulting in the death of one child.
The incident occurred as the children, reportedly playing near the edge of the stream, lost their footing on the rain-slicked ground. As the water level surged, both were carried away by the powerful current.
Residents acted swiftly and managed to rescue one of the children within a few minutes. However, the second child could not be located immediately, prompting a large-scale search operation. Upon receiving the call, emergency services and Rescue 1122 teams were dispatched to the scene without delay.
The operation spanned several kilometres downstream, with support from divers and search teams using boats and ropes to navigate the turbulent waters.
Tragically, the lifeless body of the second child was eventually found caught in debris several kilometres from the initial site. The body was retrieved with great difficulty and immediately shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital for legal and medical procedures.
The ongoing monsoon-like weather has placed emergency services on high alert, with the district administration urging citizens to avoid riverbanks, seasonal streams (nullahs), and other water bodies until the weather stabilises. Flash flood warnings remain in effect in several parts of Abbottabad. Officials have also advised people to stay indoors unless travel is necessary, as waterlogging and landslides pose continued risks on mountain roads and urban routes.
News published in the Express Tribune on 9th May 2025
