PM orders speedy relief as death toll hits 45 in K-P

Announces Rs0.5 million compensation for each family of the deceased


Our Correspondents April 28, 2015
Two men sift through the rubble of their home in Peshawar. PHOTO: AFP

SHABQADAR/ PESHAWAR/ ISLAMABAD:


Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed authorities concerned to expedite relief efforts for those stricken by the vicious storm that wreaked havoc in parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa (K-P) on Sunday evening. Meanwhile, the death toll from the ‘severe storm’ topped 45 as ten more casualties were reported from Charsadda district. 


Premier Nawaz, who is currently visiting the United Kingdom, instructed National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) – the top body dealing with natural calamities – to speed up relief and rescue activities in the rain-affected areas of the province.

“No laxity will be tolerated in providing relief to the victims,” Nawaz directed officials of the NDMA, which is working in coordination with Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

The prime minister also announced Rs0.5 million each as compensation for heirs of the deceased, the state-run radio reported. The PM also announced Rs50,000 each for those injured, it said.



The response came after Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which rules the province, and the K-P Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak requested the Centre to come to the rescue and compensate the farmers whose wheat crop was destroyed after the skies opened up.

According to CM Khattak, the PDMA is tallying the losses and collecting data of the houses collapsed due to the ‘mini-cyclone’.

Talking to the media on Monday after inquiring after health of the wounded at Peshawar’s Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), Khattak said a total of 45 persons – including women and children – lost their lives in the disaster.

“Over 200 people also suffered wounds due to the heavy rain and hailstorm in the province, specifically the provincial capital and areas lying on its outskirts – Khazana, Charsadda road and Pakha Ghulam,” he said.

Referring to media reports over his late response, Khattak said the province was being run under a mechanism and a system was in place where the health officials, cabinet members and party workers were present to assist the stricken people.

“I am neither a doctor nor an administrator but what I can do is to ensure services,” Khattak said, adding that he is monitoring the situation and is in close contact with the departments as well as the health ministry.

Relief efforts

Relief activities are under way in the storm- and rain-hit areas of Peshawar, Nowshera and Charsadda. The K-P chief minister has directed provincial ministers and MPAs to visit the affected areas and oversee relief activities.

The PDMA has dispatched teams to provide relief and assess damages in the areas. The provincial government has also announced a compensation of Rs0.5 million for family of each deceased.

The K-P Minister for Information Mushtaq Ghani told a press conference that Rs100 million has been given to the district administration along with 1,000 tents, 2,000 blankets, 1,000 hygiene kits, food items and kitchenware, which are to be distributed among the affected people.

“So far, the DC Peshawar currently has relief funds worth Rs13 million and, if needed, the provincial government will provide more money,” he added.

Meanwhile, speaking to journalists at the deputy commissioner’s (DC) office on Monday, the DC’s public relations officer, Feroz Shah, said the administration has distributed care packages and tents among affected families.

“At least 50 trucks carrying food supplies and tents have been sent to the affected areas under the supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioner Usman Ahmad Waraich,” he said.

“They have been distributed among victims in Wadpaga, Badho Sumar Bagh, Pakha Ghulam, Wahid Ghari, Haryana Payan, Miangujar, Kohat Road, Ahmad Khel, Duranpur and Budhni areas,” he said.

Humayun, a girdawar, told The Express Tribune, 500 tents, 500 food kits, 100 blankets along with food supplies were distributed among the affected population on Monday.

Reham Khan visits the injured

Earlier Reham Khan – wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan – visited the LRH and inquired about the health condition of the people who suffered injuries during the storm. Reham stressed upon preparedness for such catastrophes. “The nation is never prepared for such incidents,” she said.

Toll in Charsadda

A total of 13 people died and around 22 sustained injuries due to the mini cyclone in Charsadda district. According to officials, six people died in Shabqadar tehsil and seven in Charsadda tehsil.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28th, 2015.

COMMENTS (4)

oBSERVER | 8 years ago | Reply @nafees: This is just remind us that he is the boss. Petty though.
Rajiv Soni | 8 years ago | Reply Hi Tribune, Headlines page says 'Diseased' But it should be 'Deceased'...spelling mistakes dont look good for a big news company like yours. In your actual report spelling is correct though.
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