Rescuers search for dozens missing as floods kill over 300 in Pakistan’s north

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PESHAWAR/Swat: Floods, land sliding and other rains are increasing in northern parts of the country, killing 307 deaths in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) only in the last 48 hours.

While expanding the tool of casualties in KP, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Saturday said that the deceased included 279 men, 15 women and 13 children.

The PDMA added that a total of 74 houses were damaged, 11 houses were partially destroyed in the recent floods, and 11 houses were completely destroyed, he warned that the current magic of rainfall would continue till August 21.

Noting that the boner was reported in the boner-where 184 deaths were reported-in Bajur, Torghar, Manrah, Shingla and other areas, PDMA said that Rs 500 million has been released for the flood-hit districts.

Of this, 15 M has been allocated to the boner, and 10 M10m for Bajur, Batagram and Manashara.

The KP government has announced all the districts, including the devastation, including Swat.

The provincial rescue agency told AFP that about 2,000 rescue workers were busy recovering bodies from debris and carrying out relief work in nine affected districts.

“Heavy rains, land sliding in several areas, and washing roads, especially in the transport of heavy machinery and ambulances, are causing major challenges,” Bilal Ahmed Fizi, a spokesman for the KP Rescue Agency, told AFP.

“Due to road closures in most areas, rescue workers are hiking to conduct operations in remote areas,” he added.

Fizi remarked, “They are trying to evacuate the survivors, but very few people are caught in the rubble due to the death of their relatives or loved ones.”

In light of the devastation caused by the rains and floods, Prime Minister Shahbaz has directed the NDMA to ensure immediate supply of tents, medicines, food supply and other essential relief goods to KP.

Meanwhile, according to security sources, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir also issued special instructions for the rehabilitation of people affected by the recent floods in the province.

The army has allocated more than 600 tonnes of its one-day ration-600 tonnes to help the victims of the destruction.

Additional troops are being deployed to further support relief operations in the worst affected areas.

Field Marshal Munir also issued special instructions to the Corps of Engineers to accelerate the repair of the damaged bridges. He further directed that temporary bridges be set up wherever necessary to restore important communication for the affected communities.

11 districts, 3,817 people affected

Addressing the serious situation in the province, K -PCM adviser, Barrister Saif, said that the total 11 districts were affected by cloud bursts and floods in KP.

“The total number of people affected by the flood is 3,817,” Saif said in a statement today.

The KP government spokesman said that more than 32 people were missing, which is under investigation, a spokesman for the KP government said 545 rescue workers and 90 vehicles and boats were participating in rescue and rescue work.

Meanwhile, KP Health Advisor, Ahatasham Ali, has left for a boner with a shipment of pharmaceuticals, ambulances and medical staff.

Ali said, “I will be on the ground myself, I will provide all possible help to the victims.”

Deputy Commissioner Saleem Jan said in a statement that eight more, eight more bodies were found in Swat of those who were flooded in the flood.

Saying with the DC that the total number of people killed in Swat has increased to 20, the PDMA has said that a total of 2,071 people have been rescued across the district during the flood.

The flood of today

Apart from KP, the areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit Baltistan have also been severely affected by rain, floods and land sliding – this has killed at least 11 people in the past, while the latter’s death is 12.

According to AJ’s State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), the deceased includes five children, three men and three women.

The authority added that the floods also damaged 417 houses, of which 104 were completely destroyed.

It is a warning that more rainfall is expected from Sunday to Tuesday, the SDMA said that the rescue operation has been completed in the Neelam, Jhelum and Bagh Valley and most of the trapped tourists have been shifted to the lower areas.

He added, “The Sapphire Highway has been restored for all kinds of traffic.”

– with additional input from AFP