Earthquake death toll reaches 272

PESHAWAR: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) alerted the governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan following the Met office’s forecast of rain and snowfall in the earthquake-affected areas. Also on Friday, the NDMA announced that the death toll in the October 26 earthquake had risen to 272.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department predicted more rains with snowfall in the mountainous upper parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) that were hardest hit by the tremors. It added that a westerly wave is heading towards Pakistan and is likely to approach upper parts of the country on Sunday.
“Rains and thunderstorm are expected in KP, GB and Kashmir. Snowfall is also expected in Malakand, Hazara, GB and Kashmir during the coming days. Therefore, all concerned are requested to take necessary measures to avoid loss of lives and damage to property,” said a circular issued by the NDMA to all the provincial disaster management authorities, chief secretaries and others concerned.
The NDMA on Friday confirmed the death of 272 people in the earthquake. This includes 225 in KP, 30 in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), 10 in GB, five in Punjab and two in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The number of wounded in the country was reported to be 2,169, including 1,802 in KP, 211 in Fata, 80 in Punjab, 61 in Gilgit Baltistan and 15 in Azad Kashmir.
As many as 25,342 houses were either destroyed or partially damaged in the earthquake. The Meteorological Department had said its magnitude was 8.1 on the open-ended Richter scale. Most of the damage was reported from KP where 15,692 houses were damaged or destroyed, followed by 9,038 in Fata, 570 in GB and 20 each in Azad Kashmir and Punjab.
The Pakistan Army has set up three relief camps and 26 distribution points in the affected areas. Its two medical teams, one C-130 and 60 helicopters are busy in the rescue and relief operations in the quake-hit areas.
Pakistan Navy has set up a distribution point and sent a medical team to provide treatment to the affectees. Its two Fokker planes are also taking part in the relief operations. Three C-130 aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force are also undertaking relief activities.
The NDMA has sent 36,300 tents, 69,139 food packs, 44,700 blankets, 6,200 plastic mats, 1,400 tarpaulins, 49 water filter plants, 11 generators and 25 tons of medicines for the affected areas in KP, Azad Kashmir, GB, Fata and Punjab.
A number of families in the remote areas, however, are still complaining that the government has yet to provide them relief goods. Though most of the roads have been cleared in the remote areas through hectic efforts by the authorities, many areas haven’t been accessed yet to deliver food and non-food items to the needy.
Our correspondent in Mingora adds: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Major General Asghar Nawaz has said that total 195 persons were killed, 1,428 injured and 30,219 buildings were affected by earthquake in Malakand division.
Talking to reporters, the chairman said that 37 persons were killed in Swat, 17 in Upper Dir, 26 in Lower Dir, nine in Buner, 32 in Chitral, 50 in Shangla, two in Malakand districts and 22 in Bajaur Agency.
Malakand Commissioner Usman Gul and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Malakand Range Azad Khan were also present on the occasion.The commissioner said that emergency had been declared in the entire division soon after the jolts.He said that special control room had also been established to collect information about the affectees.
The official said that about 7,000 tents and a huge quantity of food items had been distributed among the quake victims so far. “The government will reimburse the administration Rs3.45 million which would be handed over to the victims through bank cheques,” he added. The commissioner said that 15-20 percent educational institutions buildings had been affected, adding that alternative arrangements would be made for the students to help them pursue studies.
Our correspondent in Chitral adds: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Senior Minister Inayatullah Khan has urged the federal agencies to accelerate relief and rehabilitation work in the earthquake-affected areas of the province including Chitral as any delay can lead to more losses.
This he said while talking to the authorities concerned during his daylong visit to Chitral where he inspected the quake losses in Hinjo Gol in Danin and other worst affected villages, said a handout.
Besides the senior officers of National Disaster Management Authority and Provincial Disaster Management Authority, District Nazim Syed Maghfirat Shah, members provincial assembly, Deputy Commissioner Osama Warraich and district heads of other government departments accompanied him.
The senior minister recalled that financial assistance and relief goods must reach the affectees forthwith. He said provincial government had immediately released a total amount of Rs 3 billion for quake affectees of which Chitral received Rs 500 million.
However, he acknowledged that it was a meager amount compared to the heavy losses. He assured that the government would heave a sigh of relief only after every affectee was rehabilitated.
The senior minister also distributed relief items sent by the PDMA among the affectees. Earlier, District Nazim Syed Maghfirat Shah briefed the senior minister on devastation caused by the earthquake when he arrived at Chitral.
Inayatullah was told that 5,000 houses were destroyed and the families rendered homeless in this disaster. Similarly, 11 schools were destroyed and 97 damaged, 18 Basic Health Units, District Headquarters Hospital and Police Lines suffered heavy losses. However, he assured that people would be fully compensated for all these losses.