At least 32 killed in K-P torrential rains

CM Gandapur announces Rs50 million relief package for the victims, at least 41 people injured

PESHAWAR:

The death toll from torrential rains in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has reached 32 and more than 40 have been injured, a report by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Wednesday.

The deceased included 15 children, 12 men and five women while six women, 28 men, and seven children are among the injured.

The report stated that 1,370 houses were damaged by the downpours with wall and roof collapses reported in different districts. At least 160 houses were destroyed while the rest were partially damaged.

Districts affected by rainfall include Khyber, Dir Upper and Lower, Chitral, Swat, Bajaur, Shangla, Mansehra, Mohmand, Malakand, Tank, Mardan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Buner, Hangu, Battagram, Bannu, North and South Waziristan, Kohat, DI Khan.

CM announces financial aid

Chief Minister K-P Ali Amin Gandapur announced a fundy of Rs50 million for the administration of 12 districts. The fund will be utilised to provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased.

District Nowshera will be allotted Rs20 million, Lower Dir Rs5 million, Rs3 million each for Swat, Malakand, Upper Dir and Tank. The districts of Battagram, Peshawar and Charsadda will receive Rs2 million while Lower Chitral will receive Rs10 million.

According to the PDMA, since March 29, the K-P administration released Rs81 million to various districts to deal with the emergency situation.

Read Hazara braces for another heavy rain spell

The funds can be used for financial support and relief activities of the victims as per the relief policy. The K-P government is prioritizing the relief and rehabilitation of the rain affectees.

CM Gandapur urged authorities to ensure timely distribution of aid and relief to the victims along with speedy restoration of damaged infrastructures.

Emergency flood control room

In anticipation of further flooding due to the relentless rainfall, an Emergency Flood Control Room has been established at the Chief Minister's Secretariat. This initiative aims to streamline coordination efforts with relevant stakeholders across the province, facilitating information dissemination and prompt response to emergencies.

Operating round the clock, the control room will promptly relay any emergent situations to the chief minister’s attention. Deputy Secretary (Governance) of the Chief Minister Secretariat Mohsin Iqbal has been appointed as the focal person/in-charge of the control room, tasked with ensuring effective management and swift action in response to flood-related challenges.

It can be accessed on the following numbers: UAN: 091-111-712-713, Fax No: 091-9210707, WhatsApp No: 0343-2222949.

Seven killed in Balochistan

Earlier, the death toll rose to seven in rain-related incidents in various parts of Balochistan. The incidents occurred in Sorab, Killa Saifullah, Killa Abdullah, and other parts of Balochistan. The provincial government declared an urban flooding emergency after most parts of Quetta were flooded.

Government and private schools across Balochistan remained closed on Monday and would remain closed on Tuesday in all districts affected by floods and rains.

Most schools in Gwadar, Pasni, and other parts of the province were flooded after heavy rainfall, rendering the students unable to enter their schools.