K-P flood deaths soar past 264

PESHAWAR:

At least 264 people have lost their lives in torrential downpour and the resulting deluge in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa since June 15, says a report of Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) released on Wednesday.

These floods also left 327 people injured.

The unusually heavy showers turned the small mountain streams and ravines into swollen rivers which washed away everything on their way including human beings, head of cattle, standing crops, trees and houses.

Most of the human losses occurred during attempts to catch floating tree logs in the overflowing streams and rivers as wood is a rare and precious commodity used as construction material.

As per the disaster agency report, 156 schools and other educational institutions suffered damage in the wet spell, including in the newly merged districts.

The calamity also hit the livestock sector hard as 9,411 animals were killed or swept away in floods.

The worst hit districts of the province are Dera Ismail Khan, Swat, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Tank and Kohistan where floods and rains inflicted heavy losses on local residents, human settlements and standing crops.

PDMA Director-General Sharif Hussain said the authority has so far released Rs850 million for the battered districts to ensure timely help to the flood victims.

He added that for the most affected districts, his department had sent tents, mattresses, edibles and other necessary items on an emergency basis that were distributed through the district administration.

Since July 1, the authority has provided 8,650 tents, 6,850 waterproof canvases, 2,800 blankets, 2,500 plastic mates, 2,550 kitchen sets and 2,000 hygiene kits to the stricken people.

The relief and rescue activities in affected areas are still underway, the authority said.

DG PDMA said as soon as the emergency situation comes to an end, compensation of losses to the affected people would start.

Around 159 relief camps have been established including 77 in Nowshera district where flood victims were being provided food and other items.

In DI Khan 2,5000 people have been shifted to 11 camps where all basic necessities of life were being provided to them.

Similarly, in Charsadda the district administration has established 17 camps, in Dir Upper seven camps and in Malakand and Mansehra each two camps have been set up.­­

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1^st, 2022.