Flood devastated area ignored by the authorities

SWAT: As the festival of Eid took on a sombre outlook across the country, some had it even worse. The flood devastated UC Utror was constantly ignored by the authorities.

Utror, nearly 20 kilometres away from Kalam with a population of more than 6,000 families, is known for excellence in agriculture. However, the devastation caused by the flood has cut it off from the rest of the country.

Yaqoob Khan, a social activist of the area, told The Express Tribune, “When the floods hit our area, there was chaos everywhere, like a devastated island. We did not know what to do.”

“I think we are not the part of this country. Nobody seems to be bothered. If an NGO like the SRSP can make it here on humanitarian grounds to help these people, why can’t the government authorities do so?” he asked.

Hidayatullah, a worker of the SRSP, remarked “Don’t ask how we got there. It took three consecutive days to get to Utror via Dir. It’s very dangerous to go on the top of the hills.”

Ihsanullah Khan, an elder member of the SRSP, said, “The floods have ruined everything. More than 1,000 houses, five irrigational channels, two link roads with dozens of others, five bridges, six water supply schemes and 24 micro-hydel power stations; all have been destroyed.” He also said that food or medicines were not available, and that people ate leaves of trees to ensure survival.

Fateh Mohammad Khan, a local elder, disappointedly remarked, “Our entire income source is based on the crops of potatoes, turnips, cabbages and green beans, which earn us five to six months of livelihood under normal circumstances. The stored food is used in the snow-bound months when all the supply lines are blocked.”

He suggested that the government should provide them with food till March 2011, as according to him their annual crop was wasted and washed away by the flood.

About the current circumstances, he said, “We have to migrate to Mingora or the other parts to cope with the situation, but still we do not possess money. If we go there, what will we do and where will we stay?”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2010.