Tariq Saeed Peshawar
The torrential rains coupled with floods and land sliding hitting various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have claimed at least 32 lives during the last five days. Besides, around fifty people also sustained serious wounds in rain related incidents.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority has also warned that the melting of glaciers in several districts of the province may lead to high flood in the region in the coming days and asked the agencies concerned to remain at high alert.
Giving details of the extent of the loss of life and property across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to the downpour, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority report said among the deceased are 15 children, 12 men, and five women, while the injured include six women, 28 men, and seven children.
Besides a total of 1,370 houses suffered damage in the province, with collapsing walls and roofs causing devastation. Of these, 160 houses were completely destroyed, and 1,210 houses were partially damaged.
The torrential rains coupled with floods, land sliding hit hard various districts including Khyber, Upper and Lower Dir, Chitral, Swat, Bajaur, Shangla, Mansehra, Mohmand, Malakand, Kirk, Tank, Mardan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Buner, Hangu, Batagram, and Bannu. Additionally, there were losses reported in North and South Waziristan, Kohat, and Dera Ismail Khan.
In response to the crisis, the PDMA reports that, following directives from Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur, financial assistance totaling 50 million rupees has been allocated for the families of the deceased in the 12 worst affected districts.
In the meanwhile the Provincial Disaster Management Authority Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has issued a flood alert due to the melting of glaciers in several districts of the province. In a statement issued by the office of Director General PDMA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it is said that flood situation can get worsen in nine districts of Chitral Upper, Chitral Lower, Swat, Dir Upper, Dir Lower, Kohistan Upper, Kohistan Lower, Mansehra and Kurram district.
He said instructions have been issued to these district administrations and other relevant departments to monitor the situation through the field staff in their respective districts and in case of any danger, the district administration concerned should inform the local population and shift them to safer places well in time so as to save human lives as far as possible.
The DG warned that if timely safety measures are not taken, there is a possibility of heavy loss of life and property due to the expected flood situation. He clarified that the control room of PDMA is fully functional and the public can report any untoward incident to control room No. 1700.
