Red alert: CM orders effective relief operations in Chitral

Directs officials to keep vigilant eye on flood situation

PESHAWAR: A red alert has been declared by Chief Minister Pervez Khattak in the flood-affected areas of Chitral. The natural calamity has resulted in the loss of human lives and wreaked considerable damage to property.

This was stated in a handout issued by the CM Secretariat on Sunday. Khattak announced compensation for damaged property and the heirs of the deceased.

Expressing his grief and concern over the losses, the CM ordered the district administration and PDMA to accelerate the rescue operation to evacuate those who have been stranded following the catastrophe. A helicopter was arranged for the swift rescue operation.

“Rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the affected people were made top priorities,” the document stated. “The CM said the district administration and PDMA should maintain these efforts till every last flood victim was evacuated.” Khattak emphasised on the need for a joint relief and rescue operation of the NDMA and Pakistan Army.

The CM said an amount of Rs50 million was released for necessary items to alleviate the suffering of people. He also ordered accelerated efforts for the distribution of relief goods such as 500 tents, blankets and other items.

He asked for a detailed report on casualties and damaged property. The government, he assured, would prepare an overall recovery plan for all the losses and damages.

Khattak also directed officials engaged in the rescue operation to keep a vigilant eye on the flood situation in vulnerable areas and take preventive measures if the situation persisted.

“The monitoring process should be continuous,” the document cited Khattak as saying.

The chief minister said he shared the miseries and hardships of the victims and would not desert them at this difficult time.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2016.