Munda Headworks bridge collapses, leaving Charsadda, Nowshera at flood risk

By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 06 Jan 2023

CHARSADDA: The Munda Headworks bridge has broken down and has been swept away by the rain-triggered flash flood leaving the Charsadda and Nowshera districts at risk of floods.

The Munda Headworks bridge broke due to the pressure of flood water. The bridge's collapse has disconnected Tehsil Shabqadar and Prang from the district.

The water level at the Munda Headworks of the Mohmand Dam started receding gradually after 3am. The floodwater level in Shabqadar near the Mohamand Dam is also dropping.

No casualties were reported from Shabqadar. However, the flood torrent has damaged standing crops in the area. 

The Munda Headworks bridge incident took place late at night on Friday at around 11pm. The residents have been advised to leave their homes and go to government-designated camps.

So far, no loss of life was reported, however, houses and agricultural land have been destroyed due to the flow of water.

The residents are being moved to safer places. The deputy commissioner and the authorities had issued a warning of flooding and appealed to the residents to leave their houses and move to a safe place, however, people did not take the warning seriously.

Floodwater has destroyed half of the Munda Headworks, sweeping away two Discharge Control sections, Deputy Commissioner Nowshera Mir Reza Ozgen tweeted on Saturday. The torrent of flood water is fast headed to Nowshera, the deputy commissioner warned.

The deputy commissioner said the Munda Headworks remained safe in 2010.

The DC also requested the residents to immediately evacuate to safe places, without wasting time.

In Charsadda, there is a very high flood at Khyali and the water level is further on the rise. The city administration is making efforts to rescue the stranded citizens.

Most flood victims have moved to the highway to take shelter. They are spending the night under the open sky.

According to reports, the local administration had already issued a flood warning due to which no casualties have been reported so far.

The DC said the district administration seeks the public's cooperation at this critical juncture. He said the administration is receiving complaints from many areas about people not cooperating with the administration in the evacuation process.

He called upon the people not to take this flood situation lightly. Reiterating his appeal to people for cooperation, he said that this time around, the situation is getting worse than that in 2010. 

The DC Nowshera said all government and private educational institutions have been opened for the flood victims. People are being facilitated in every way possible, he said.