ISLAMABAD: As flash floods continue to ravage Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the provincial government released Rs800 million in relief funds for all affected districts, with an additional Rs 500m specifically for worst-hit Buner.
The recent catastrophic floods in KP have claimed at least 325 lives and injured 156 people, as the nationwide toll from rain-related incidents since late-June rose to 657.
The KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) announced Rs800m in relief funds to the administrations of affected districts on the instructions of the provincial government.
A separate relief fund of Rs500m has been earmarked for Buner district, which accounts for the majority of casualties with 217 deaths and 120 injuries, according to a PDMA report released today.
Buner was followed by Shangla, with 36 deaths and 21 people injured in flash floods and roof collapses since August 15. At least 95 houses have been damaged— 55 fully — with as many schools partially destroyed.
Mansehra and Bajaur recorded 24 and 21 deaths, respectively, and five injuries each. Swat reported 17 deaths and two injuries, but witnessed the heaviest damage to infrastructure as 219 houses have been either fully or partially damaged and 163 cattle have perished.
Five people died and three people were injured in Lower Dir due to flash floods and thunder strikes, while 100 cattle perished. Three people died in Battagram due to flash floods, while a roof collapse in Nowshera killed two people.
PM Shehbaz pledged the federal government’s complete support for flood-hit communities in KP, announcing the donation of one month’s salary from the federal cabinet to aid relief efforts, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported.
Chairing a meeting to review ongoing relief efforts by the federal government in KP, GB and AJK, the prime minister directed federal institutions to intensify efforts to assist citizens in affected districts. The meeting was attended by federal ministers, the NDMA chief and the PM’s chief coordinator.
“In this hour of calamity, there is no federal or provincial government; we must ensure the assistance and rehabilitation of affected people,” PM Shehbaz said. “Helping our distressed Pakistani brothers and sisters is our national responsibility”.
