Chitral floods devastate homes, wipe out crops

Stranded residents implore govt to send in supplies

CHITRAL:

The picturesque district of Upper Chitral in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa experienced a calamitous natural disaster as the Yarkhon River swelled due to melting glaciers and snow. This high flooding event wreaked havoc, leaving at least 18 houses in ruins and destroying standing crops spread across hundreds of acres.

The dire situation forced hundreds of residents to flee their homes in low-lying areas, leaving behind their belongings and seeking refuge elsewhere.

With the immediate need for aid and support in the flood-hit areas, local residents implore the district administration and provincial government to step in and provide emergency assistance, including tents and food supplies, to those stranded and affected by the disaster.

Humanitarian crisis

In the wake of the floods, Government Primary School Pewar and 18 other houses were completely inundated, forcing their occupants to bravely save their lives under challenging circumstances.

The destruction of standing crops has dealt a massive financial blow to the local community, inflicting millions of rupees in losses. Additionally, the flooding has turned the Chitral River into a standing pool of water, causing concern among residents that it could collapse at any moment, leading to sudden flooding in nearby villages.

The gravity of the situation demands the immediate attention of the government to ensure the safety of the affected communities and to safeguard vital infrastructure, particularly the irrigation channels.

Recent alerts

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued fresh alerts following forecasts from the Regional Meteorological Department of heavy rains between July 13 and 17 across most parts of the province. To mitigate the potential impacts of the predicted rainfall, the PDMA directed all concerned authorities to take precautionary safety measures to protect lives, infrastructure, crops, and cattle.

Areas such as Abbotabad, Chitral Upper and Lower, Dir Upper and Lower, Kohistan, and Thorghar were expected to receive significant downpours, prompting the need for proactive preparations.

Tourists were also made aware of the weather forecasts, and emergency services staff and resources were put on standby to respond promptly to any emergencies.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21^st, 2023.