K-P rain disaster: PM approves relief package for affected

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has announced a relief package for the victims of the disaster caused by a severe thunderstorm in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). The package would help reconstruct the damaged infrastructure. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif approved a package of Rs500,000 on Tuesday for the family of every deceased and Rs50,000 for every injured person. The premier, who is on an official visit to the United Kingdom, asked the national and provincial disaster management authorities to mobilise rescue efforts so as to bring the situation under control, said a statement issued by the PM Office. The federal government will also assist the people of K-P in rebuilding the infrastructure damaged by the calamity. Moreover, directives have been issued to the authorities concerned for making appropriate food arrangements for the victims. At least 45 people lost their lives and around 100 suffered injuries when structures collapsed and because of other incidents triggered by a windstorm coupled with heavy rains that lashed the province on Sunday.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2015.