Passengers are left stuck on the Zhob–Dera Ismail Khan route because floodwaters have blocked traffic.

When floodwaters flooded across the road late on Sunday night, the main national highway that runs from Zhob to Dera Ismail Khan came to a complete and total halt. As a result of the heavy rainfall that occurred overnight, the dry streams in the vicinity overflowed, causing torrents to rush across the highway.

Gundi Ashiq, which was already regarded to be a naturally vulnerable region, was fully buried as a result of the severity of the water. The waves, which were advancing at a rapid pace, reached the tires of vehicles, leaving numerous people trapped, according to witnesses.

Several vehicles, including buses, trucks, cars, and motorcycles, came to a complete and utter halt, resulting in a chaotic sight. Passengers exited their vehicles and checked on one another; children were crying, mothers were in anguish, and senior passengers were sitting weary. The environment was filled with the aroma of rain, the sound of rushing water, and the talk of people who were anxious.

“We were heading to Dera Ismail Khan early in the morning with our entire family when suddenly we saw a wall of water ahead,” said Ghulam Muhammad, a passenger who was affected by the incident, as reported by The Express Tribune. We have been unable to move for some hours now. The children’s food has been consumed, and the batteries on our mobile devices have run out. At this time, only Allah can assist us.

While everything was going on, a female passenger revealed, “I was on my way to take my daughter to the doctor.” What should I do at this moment? There is no one available to assist anyone, and the route is shut.

Read more about how severe rains caused roof collapses in K-P, which resulted in nine fatalities.

Officers from the district administration, representatives from the National Highway Authority, and members of Rescue 1122 arrived at the scene without delay. For the purpose of removing the water and reopening the highway as rapidly as possible, heavy machinery, bulldozers, and labor teams were all dispatched.

It has been claimed by the authorities that the situation is being continuously monitored, and that efforts are now being made to restore traffic by midday. On the other hand, the water level continues to be high, which makes it hard for vehicles to move at the moment.

According to the authorities, passengers were strongly warned to avoid traveling on this route without first receiving confirmation and to instead utilize alternate roadways. The shutdown of this national highway, which serves as the primary connection between Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, is having an impact not just on the general populace but also on business transportation, trucks, and daily trade.

The administration has confirmed that the operations to clear the roads are moving forward at a rapid pace, and subsequent information will be provided as soon as the roadway is once again accessible.

When travelling during the rainy season, it is strongly recommended that travellers exercise extreme caution, check the weather forecast, keep informed, and avoid places that are prone to flooding. Your responsibility is to travel in a safe manner.