Peshawar: The PDMA has released a preliminary report on the loss of life and property due to recent rains and flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to the report, 309 people were killed and 23 injured in various accidents during the last 48 hours. The dead include 279 men, 15 women and 13 children, while the injured include 17 men, 4 women and 2 children.
According to the PDMA, a total of 74 houses have been damaged as a result of the rains and flash floods, of which 63 were partially affected while 11 houses were completely collapsed.
These accidents occurred in different districts of the province: Swat, Buner, Bajaur, Torghar, Mansehra, Shangla and Battagram. The most affected districts are Bajaur and Battagram, while 184 people have lost their lives in Buner alone so far.
The PDMA has warned that the heavy rains are likely to continue intermittently till August 21.
On the instructions of the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, immediate relief funds have been released for the affected districts and all agencies have been directed to intensify relief activities. The district administration and PDMA teams are in constant contact and the situation is being monitored.
The PDMA spokesperson said that all resources are being utilized to restore the closed highways and connection roads at tourist spots, while the public has been directed to take precautionary measures and contact the helpline 1700 in case of any emergency.
PDMA relief teams, district administration, Rescue 1122 and other agencies are engaged in relief activities. So far, 3567 people have been rescued while 3817 people have been affected. 545 personnel and 90 vehicles and boats are participating in the relief activities.
On the other hand, according to Rescue 1122, rescue operations are underway in 3 tehsils of Buner, where reports of people buried under the debris are being received. Rescue teams continued rescue work throughout the night and have also started the process of removing debris in the affected areas.
The Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps have also started flood relief operations in Swat, Bajaur and Buner. The victims are being transferred to safe places through military helicopters and rations and essential supplies are being provided. More troops of the Pakistan Army have also been sent to the affected districts for relief work. Military officials say that the operation will continue until all the affected people are rescued safely and taken to safe places.
In addition, according to the Flood Control Cell, there has been an unusual increase in the flow of water in various rivers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In the Indus River, there is a moderate flood at Khairabad (Attock) and 3,88,400 cusecs of water, while there is a low flood at Tarbela where 3,70,600 cusecs have arrived. Chashma is in heavy flow and 4,06,627 cusecs of water, while Jinnah Barrage is at 3,91,608 cusecs.
According to the report, Kabul River is in moderate flood at Nowshera and 1,08,500 cusecs of water, while Warsak is in low flood and 48,000 cusecs of water.
In the Swat River, the flow of water is 44,335 cusecs at Khayali (Charsadda), 50,953 cusecs at Munda Headworks and 42,280 cusecs at Adenzai, 15,299 cusecs at Khwaza Khela.
Among other important measures, work on the under-construction section of Tarbela 5 Power House has been temporarily stopped.
In addition, the Higher Education Department has banned all staff from leaving the station so that they can fully participate in relief activities. Instructions have been issued to the Higher Education and district administration for providing facilities in relief camps, surveying, assisting in control rooms and delivering relief materials.
The Flood Control Cell has appealed to the people living along the river banks to immediately move to safer places and also take their livestock to safer places. In case of any emergency, the public can report on 1700.
Federal Minister Amir Muqam visits Buner
Federal Minister Amir Muqam visited Buner and reviewed the distribution of relief materials provided by the Prime Minister and the relief operations.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government declares flood emergency till August 31
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Relief Department has announced that a flood emergency will remain in effect in the flood-affected areas till August 31. The districts under emergency include Swat, Buner, Torghar, Battagram. The emergency will also be implemented in Bajaur, Shangla, Mansehra, Lower Dir, Upper Dir. All deputy commissioners of the emergency districts have been informed.
Two thousand people have been shifted to safe places
Chief Minister House Spokesperson Faraz Mughal has said that so far more than two thousand people have been shifted to safe places, small helicopters and drones are being used to evacuate stranded people and medicines are being delivered, rescue centers and camps have been established in the affected districts, boats, life jackets and basic facilities have been delivered to the affected areas.
Flood situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, power system disrupted
The recent rains and floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have disrupted the power system in most areas including Buner, Swat, Malam Jabba, Shangla. According to a PESCO spokesperson, 41 feeders across the province were shut down due to the floods. Power was restored on 23 feeders in Swat, while repair work is underway on the remaining 18 feeders.
According to a PESCO spokesperson, flood water was drained from the Swat grid station the previous day. Due to the floods, power supply was shut down on 41 feeders in Swat. Power has also been provided to Malam Jabba through an alternative route. Essential equipment such as electricity poles have been provided.