Disaster management: Residents protest Shangla’s inaccessibility

Mine workers, police officials rescued from Naran Valley

MANSEHRA/ PESHAWAR/ SHANGLA/ BAJAUR:

Various parts of Shangla district remain out of reach following the earthquake. As temperatures begin to plummet and the death toll has soared to 56, residents of Chakesar tehsil blocked Karakoram Highway (KKH) to urge the government to re-open the road leading from Chakesar to Besham on an emergency basis.

A large number of residents gathered near Takot Bridge and shouted slogans against the government. They said the road to Besham has been closed following a massive landslide at Sarkol. As a result, many residents have not been able to take their loved ones who were injured in the earthquake to hospitals for treatment. Protesters said relief has yet to be provided to the affected population.

“Some people have taken their loved ones to hospitals through alternative routes,” a protester said. “Most of the injured were carried down the mountains on string beds. However, not all of us can afford to take them to hospitals through alternative routes.”

Another protester said landslides have left a large number of people stranded in many areas.

“We have urged the relevant authorities to take action,” he said. “We will carry out more protests if our demands are not fulfilled.”

Local government representatives have assured residents that they have asked the Shangla DC to re-open the road.

Picking up the pieces

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Assistant Commissioner Besham Javed Iqbal said Chakesar has been most affected by the calamity.

“At least 16 deaths have been reported so far,” he said. “The toll is likely to increase.”

According to Iqbal, around 270 tents were distributed among affectees.

The DC’s office revealed that the administration had so far distributed 995 tents across the district including Puran, Alpuri, Chakesar, Derai and other affected areas.

“However, the damages were above and beyond what is being handed out,” said Iqbal. As per initial details, there were 575 houses that were destroyed in Chakesar and over 1,300 buildings were partially damaged. Insiders believe most of these buildings are beyond repair.

Rescue operations

On the other hand, the death toll in Kohistan district has climbed to 18.

Mine workers and policemen who were stationed in the district and were stranded in different parts of Naran Valley in Mansehra after an avalanche have been rescued by military troops.

According to the police, several people, including five police officials and 13 officials of the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), remained stranded following heavy snowfall during the last three days.

DIG Hazara Akhtar Hayat Gandapur said that three military helicopters and troops were used in the rescue operation.

Goodwill gesture

Provincial and federal governments have joined hands to provide relief to the affected population. Meanwhile, three provincial lawmakers – Minister for Agriculture Ikramullah Gandapur, Provincial Minister for Public Health Engineering Shah Farman and MPA Arbab Jehandad Khan – have vowed to donate their salary for the month to help the earthquake victims.

However, lawmakers from Fata have said government aid for the affected population in Bajaur Agency was insufficient.

Speaking at a news conference in Khar, MNA Shahabuddin Khan, Senator Hidayatullah and Bismillah Khan urged PM Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain to visit the area.

They criticised the role of the federal government in coping with the disaster.

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