Altaf Hamid Rao
Mirpur (AJK)
Sardar Masood Khan, President Azad Jammu and Kashmir, has expressed deep concern and grief over the loss of precious lives and property due to a flash-flood caused by a cloud-burst in the area of Leswa, Neelum District.
22 people are feared to have been buried alive or swept away in the flash flood that had hit Leswa and the adjoining Bypass road. Besides, around 200 houses, 20 shops and 03 mosques have also been damaged due to this unexpected natural calamity.
President AJK expressed his condolences over the loss of lives and sympathized with the people of the locality. He said in a message of condolence, issued on Monday, that immediate rescue and relief operations are underway to help recover the persons and also provide medical assistance to the injured.
On ground rescue and relief operations headed by the Deputy Commissioner Neelum are underway in which teams from the State Disaster Management Authority and AJK-Red Crescent have been mobilized to assist the local administration. The District Administration is also working closely with teams of the Pakistan army who have been sent to assist in rescue operations.
The President is in direct coordination with the AJK Chief Secretary and the Inspector General AJK Police, both of whom are directly overseeing the rescue and relief operations.
The President has urged them to ensure the best medical assistance to the affectees and guarantee evacuation and rescue operations continue unhindered.
Meanwhile, Army troops are assisting civil administration for rescue and relief of affected population due to landslide near Laswa village and flash flood in Neelum Jhelum River at Nauseri, Danni. According to Inter Services Public Relations, the relief camps have been established and 52 stranded individuals have been heli evacuated to camps/safer places. The statement further says search operation for drowned persons is in progress.
Relief effort also includes provision of food, rations and medical care, it added.
