Wrath of nature: ‘Jhang was worst-hit by floods’

PDB report says infrastructure in Jhang was badly damaged.

FAISALABAD: The Planning and Development Board (PDB) on Monday declared Jhang the most flood-hit district in the province.

In its initial report on the damage caused by the floods, the PDB said out of the 28 districts affected by the floods, Jhang had seen the worst disaster with most roads, irrigation systems, buildings and crops damaged.

The report, which was forwarded to the Punjab government after assessment of the damage caused by the floods, said, “The recent floods were the worst ever in the country’s history.

Precious human lives were lost, standing crop washed away, livestock was affected and hundreds of houses were damaged.”

The government had assigned the task of assessment of flood devastation to the PDB under Post-Flood Restoration of Infrastructure.

In its report, the PDB said Rs4 billion would be required to restart normal life in Jhang.

The report further said that Rs1.17 billion was required to provide basic amenities which were ruined by the floods in Gujranwala district whereas Rs1.98 billion was required for Hafizabad district, Rs1.83 billion for Lahore and Rs15.11 billion for Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Khushab, Nankana Sahib, Jehlum, Attock, Narowal, Qasoor, Faisalabad, Multan, Chiniot and Dera Ghazi Khan.

The report further noted that Rs2.7 billion was required for restoration of irrigation systems and roads in these areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30^th, 2014.