No respite: Flash floods leave nine more dead in K-P

Massive landslide in Chitral blocks routes

KARAK/ CHITRAL/ HARIPUR/ PESHAWAR:

At least nine more people have died in various parts of the province on Friday as flash floods continue to wreak havoc.

Locals familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune a man who had taken refuge from the deluge in a mosque in Bandogol in Chitral was swept away.

In a separate incident, two children drowned in collected rainwater in Karak district. Locals  said Sharjeel Khan, 8, and Hammad Khan, 12, drowned while swimming in Bahadur Khel. Their bodies were recovered a few hours later.



In Haripur district, two boys were swept away by a heavy current. Eyewitnesses said Salim and Sarwar were crossing Haro River to reach Tarmaki when the incident occurred. Salim’s body was found in the reservoir of Khanpur Dam while the latter’s body remains missing. In a similar incident, 23-year-old Hafiz Shahbaz drowned in Ghazi tehsil.

A man identified as Muhammad Ameen was killed when the entire Mor Kaho village was washed away. Around 250 houses in the village were also destroyed.

Three children also died when flood from Mozderkol Nulla and Kosht Nulla  swept them away, said locals. Their identities could not be known till the filing of this report, and their bodies remain at large.

Crisis management

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Sardar Hussain, a Pakistan Peoples Party MPA in Chitral, said rain and floods have continued to wreck the region. Several routes have been blocked due to a massive landslide in Tirich.

“At least 11 houses were washed away in Mulkhow tehsil,” he said. “There is severe shortage of food items in the area.”

According to Hussain, tractors and heavy machinery are being used to clear the road. “Residents are being moved to safer places,” he said.

Food shortage

Locals remain in crisis because of the natural disaster.

“We are completely cut off from the city,” said one resident. “At this stage, we are running short of food supplies. We are even ready to buy ration from the government if they could only reach us.”

A large number of residents voiced concerns about the destruction of their agricultural land, which is their main source of livelihood.

Lawmakers from the region have appealed to the government to assist residents and prevent them from losing their livelihood.

A government official monitoring relief efforts told The Express Tribune weather conditions have obstructed activities. “The other problem is the shortage of fuel to run machinery,” he added.

What the future holds

The Met department has said severe weather is likely to persist in Chitral. The district administrations of Chitral, Nowshera, Peshawar and Charsadda have been asked to remain on high alert to deal with any eventualities.

The provincial government has announced Rs1.44 billion for the reconstruction of bridges, roads and irrigation channels, stated an official press release. The decision was announced by Minister for Information Mushtaq Ghani at a news conference at the press club on Friday.

“Of the total amount, Rs1 billion will be spent on reconstruction of roads and bridges,” read the statement. “Rs0.44 billion will be allocated for the reconstruction of irrigation channels.”

It added, “The temporary restoration of the infrastructure would take one month while complete restoration will be finished in six months.”

According to Ghani, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has also separately approved Rs300 million for the construction of various roads.

“The roads will be constructed by Frontier Works Organisation and an agreement has been signed in this regard,” read the statement. “Khattak also held a meeting with district and provincial officials, and warned them against the failure to provide relief activities. The CM has assured the district administration it will not face any shortage of funds for relief work.”

About the damage caused by heavy rain and flash floods, Ghani said nine irrigation channels, 13 bridges and 10 suspension bridges have been damaged.

“At least 167 houses and 61 water supply schemes were affected, as well as 1,200 acres of land and 5.7% orchards have also been affected.”

Speaking about the package announced by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his visit to Chitral, he said the provincial government has yet to receive the funds.

Compensation to people will be decided once a complete assessment has been under taken.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 25^th, 2015.