Tremors at five magnitude on Richter scale felt in K-P, surrounding tribal belt. PHOTO: REUTERS
SHANGLA/PESHAWAR: Tremors at a magnitude of five on the Richter scale were felt through Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and its surrounding Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata). Aftershocks have continuously jolted and panicked residents throughout the province since the 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit on October 26.
According to officials at the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the epicentre in the Hindu Kush range in Afghanistan. However, shocks were felt in parts of K-P including Chitral, Malakand, Swat, Peshawar, Dir and Buner. PMD officials reported the earthquake occured at 6:59pm Pakistan Standard Time.
Meanwhile, light showers along with snowfall in K-P caused temperatures to drop on Monday, forcing locals to wrap themselves in warm clothes.
Officials from PMD in Peshawar said the rainfall would continue for the next 24 hours and result in a further decrease of temperatures.
The department recorded 8mm of rainfall in Parachinar, 1mm in Cherat and the same amount in Malam Jabba, while Peshawar only received trace amounts. The combination of rain and snow created much chaos in Shangla district of Malakand Division, while the low temperatures proved disastrous for earthquake affected people living in tents.
While in Shangla, Deputy Commissioner Saadat Hassan and Colonel Sajid addressed the press in the district, claiming tents, food packages and clothes were provided to locals affected by the earthquake.
“Shangla is unfortunate as it has lost people and property for the fourth time in the past ten years,” said Hassan.
The officials added that all resources available to the district administration through the government, PDMA, and non-governmental organisations were passed on to locals. They assured residents that rehabilitation efforts would start in the near future.
“At least 1,300 families’s houses were destroyed and they were paid Rs0.2 million per family for relief and property reconstruction,” the DC said. “Around 5,000 tents were also provided.”
The administration officials discussed imposing Section 144 on undeserving locals taking relief packages under the garb of earthquake victims. Many have already been arrested by police officials for faking their identity.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 10th, 2015.
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