Landslides wreak havoc in Murree

Render seven families homeless, put dozens of houses at risk of collapse

MURREE:

At least seven families lost their houses during the past three days of heavy rains that triggered devastating landslides in the hilly areas of Murree, particularly in the Parhana located between Murree and Kotli Sattian.

According to the district administration, four houses are partially damaged while dozens of houses are at risk of collapse, prompting evacuation efforts. In response, the district administration has temporarily relocated affected individuals to alternative shelters, providing them with tents. However, relief organisations are facing challenges due to the ongoing landslides, leaving victims exposed to ailments and homelessness.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has instructed the district administration to take proactive measures to address the infrastructural damage caused by the landslides.

Member National Assembly Raja Osama Sarwar and Member Punjab Assembly Bilal Yamin Sati, along with district administration officials, have visited the affected area to assess the situation. Relief efforts, including the distribution of relief goods such as tents and blankets, are underway.

The landslides have severed the land connection between the two tehsils of Murree district, Murree and Kotli Sattian, for three days now, despite clear weather conditions.

Murree Deputy Commissioner, Zaheer Abbas Shirazi, is overseeing relief operations, with the involvement of Rescue 1122 and other government departments. Despite efforts by the highway department to restore the road, it has been repeatedly blocked by landslide debris, disrupting relief operations and exacerbating the situation.

Rescue 1122 has established a permanent relief camp in the affected area to provide ongoing support. The closure of the main highway has also affected students attending public schools and colleges in the area, compounding the challenges faced by the community.

National Assembly member Raja Osama Sarwar assured that the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, is committed to rehabilitating the victims, with plans for immediate action and distribution of compensation checks.

Relief efforts

Murree Deputy Commissioner Agha Zaheer Abbas Shirazi said that the district administration is actively assisting the victims of the landslide in Parhana area. Residents of Parhana were evacuated from the area beforehand.

He chaired a meeting to discuss measures for the landslide victims. The meeting focused on the actions taken to support those affected by the landslides.

Ramazan package

Murree district administration has started supplying of Ramazan Negheban Ration package in Murree as per the orders of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz.

According to Murree Deputy Commissioner, Agha Zaheer Abbas Shirazi, under the Ramazan Negheban Ration Package, distribution of the ration bags had been started and on a trial basis, the ration bags were provided to the deserving families at their homes.

He said that the supply of Negheban Ration package in Murree district would be completed under the supervision of senior admin officers and negligence on the part of the officials concerned would not be tolerated.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 7^th, 2024.