PDMA releases funds for damaged infrastructure

PESHAWAR: Secretary for Relief and Rehabilitation Authority and director general of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) have directed the deputy commissioner of Chitral to declare emergency in the district.
The directives were issued on behalf of the provincial government. The PDMA chief also directed the Chitral deputy commissioner to call on duty all line departments, including revenue, Communication and Works, Irrigation Department, Public Health Engineering, Health and Education to assist the administration in relief and restoration activities.
A statement said the PDMA of KP had released funds to provide food and non-food items to the affected people. The district administration is also providing medical relief and food and non-food items to the flood affected population.
Efforts are underway to clear debris from Drosh Gol, Kalkatak Gol and Chukidam roads, said the communication. Available machineries and manpower have been deployed for temporary opening of suspended traffic.
The Army Engineering Corps had been asked to provide heavy machinery for the rehabilitation and restoration of the damaged roads in Bamburet and Mastuj tehsil.The PDMA also provided funds to the Public Health Engineering for restoration of all water supply schemes.
Efforts are being made to restore cut-off links and repair the damaged roads and bridges.The cloud outburst and flash floods hit different parts of Chitral at midnight on July 16, damaging houses, mosques, bridges, roads, irrigation and water channels.
Three deaths were also reported. A sizeable portion of population has been cut off, which necessitates immediate restoration of roads and bridges. Water level in Chitral River at different locations is rising with continuous rainfall. Embankments at vulnerable points are required to protect communities from overflow of river and nullahs in the affected areas.
Water supply to Chitral town couldn’t be restored, while temporary arrangements for water supply through water tankers had been made. The immediate restoration of the water supply channel of Chitral town is underway.
The Irrigation Department was tasked to immediately start channelisation and clearance of debris from Drosh Gol, Kalkatak Gol and Chukidam.The chief municipal officer was tasked to make proper arrangements for drinking water supply from Golen Gol water supply line and start work on Angarghuti water supply project.
The district administration also started the restoration of cut-off areas. The PDMA has authorised the deputy commissioner to utilise the relief funds for relief activities. The Revenue staff was deputed for the detailed assessments and verification of damage. The statement said the director of the National Highway Authority had cleared the main road for traffic.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has ordered the authorities concerned to take immediate measures for restoration of roads, bridges and water supply schemes that were damaged by recent torrential rains in Chitral district.
A communiqué on Monday said the chief minister had also directed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to accelerate its relief and rehabilitation operations in close coordination with Pakistan Army and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
In view of the losses and difficulties being suffered by the rain-affected people of Chitral, the chief minister asked the chief engineers of Construction & Works and Public Health Engineering departments to reach Chitral as early as possible to support the district administration for immediate restoration of the damaged roads, bridges, water supply schemes and other basic facilities.
The chief minister directed the officials to also propose measures for permanent and durable rehabilitation of the affected facilities. He also ordered disbursement of Rs1 million by provincial government to the district administration of Chitral for providing essential food items to the rain-affected people.
Pervez Khattak directed the PDMA to undertake the relief and rehabilitation activities in close coordination with 11 Corps and 17 Division of Pakistan Army as well as NDMA and the district administration.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak directed the divisional administration of Malakand to conduct a comprehensive survey for ascertaining the losses caused by heavy rains and flash-floods in Chitral.
He directed that estimates of the losses inflicted on the properties of the affected population should also be ascertained so that compensation could be provided properly.The chief minister directed the administration to take the local public representatives on board for the purpose.