K-P announces payout for rain victims

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has announced special compensation packages for the victims of a devastating storm that hit Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Tank districts of the province.

The families of those who lost their lives will receive Rs1 million each, while the critically injured will be paid Rs3 lakhs. Minor injuries will be compensated with Rs50,000 each.

Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhary visited the affected region, accompanied by Deputy Speaker National Assembly Zahid Akram Durrani, Caretaker Provincial Ministers Syed Hamid Shah and Sawal Nazir Advocate, the Bannu commissioner, and army officers.

They inspected hospitals in all three districts and met with the injured, receiving briefings on the treatment facilities provided.

The hospital administration and doctors briefed them about the treatment facilities being provided to the victims.

“District administration as well as army units are trying their best to help the victims of the storm in all the affected districts and we making every effort to provide help to the victims,” he said.

During a press conference at the commissioner’s office, the chief secretary announced a special compensation package, finalized on behalf of the prime minister and caretaker chief minister, for each victim of the natural calamity.

He mentioned that a survey was underway to assess the extent of damage to homes and livestock. Compensation of around Rs8,000 will be provided for each goat killed, and Rs50,000 for larger animals such as buffalo and cows.

Efforts are being made to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured.

The chief secretary acknowledged the challenging nature of handling such large-scale calamities and expressed gratitude to the district administration and army units for their ongoing efforts to assist the victims.

He visited the families in Surani and handed them compensation cheques. According to the local disaster management authority, the death toll has risen to 27 in Bannu Division, with 146 individuals injured in Bannu, Karak, and Lakki Marwat.

Powerful storms have caused significant damage, including the destruction of homes, uprooting of trees and electricity pylons, and stranding hundreds of people.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that at least 69 houses were partially damaged. Efforts are underway to provide relief to the affected individuals, with the K-P government releasing Rs40 million for aid in Bannu.

The PDMA is in close contact with district administrations, ensuring that assistance reaches the affected areas in accordance with government policies.

Bannu has been severely impacted, with houses and roads submerged, and power disruptions. The storm’s forceful winds uprooted trees and caused extensive damage to infrastructure.

Local residents have reported casualties due to collapsing mud house roofs and loss of livestock throughout the district.