The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Saturday announced that the death toll from floods, landslides and other rain-related incidents had climbed to 307 over the past 48 hours following torrential downpours.
In its report, the PDMA said the deceased included 279 men, 15 women and 13 children. It said the floods and landslides had damaged 74 houses, partially destroyed 63, and completely destroyed 11. In its report, the PDMA emphasized that the current spell of rains is forecast to continue until Aug. 21.
According to the report, Buner alone has reported 184 deaths, while the rest of the casualties have been reported from Bajaur, Torghar, Mansehra, Shangla and other areas. The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government, it affirmed, has released Rs. 500 million for the flood-affected districts, including Rs. 15 million for Buner, and Rs. 10 million each for Bajaur, Battagram and Mansehra.
Among the deceased are five crewmembers of a provincial government chopper that crashed in Mohmand during relief and rescue efforts.
The provincial government has also declared all flood-affected districts, including Swat, disaster-hit areas. Ongoing rescue efforts are hampered by washed out roads and ongoing rainfall.
Amidst the natural disaster, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to ensure the immediate delivery of tents, medicines, food supplies, and other essential relief items to the province. He has also discussed the situation with KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, assuring them of the NDMA’s full cooperation in the rescue and relief operations.
“The federal government will provide all possible assistance to the provincial government,” he said, adding medicines, tents and food items would be delivered to the province. “Our sympathies are with the victims in this difficult time,” he said.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir has similarly issued special instructions for the rehabilitation of people affected by the floods, with local media reporting the Army has donated one day’s ration, roughly 600 tons, for aid.
The Army chief has further issued special instructions to the Corps of Engineers to expedite the repair of damaged bridges, directing for the installation of temporary bridges in the meanwhile to restore vital connectivity for affected communities.
In a statement, Adviser to the KP C.M. Barrister Saif said 11 districts had been hit, affecting 3,817 people. He said 32 people remained missing, adding 545 rescuers and 90 vehicles and boats were participating in the rescue and relief operations.
AJK and GB
In addition to KP, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan have also been hit by the rainfall, flooding and landslides, killing at least 11 and 12 people, respectively. The AJK State Disaster Management Authority has said the casualties comprise five children, three men and three women, adding the floods have damaged 417 houses, including 104 that are completely destroyed.