CM directs PDMA, Chitral admin to accelerate rescue and relief operation

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Pervez Khattak on Sunday expressed grief over the loss of human lives and property in the Ursoon area of the Chitral district and directed the district administration and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to accelerate rescue operation for evacuation of stranded people.

According to an official handout, the chief minister declared red alert in the flood-hit areas in Chitral and announced compensation for those who were killed and the property damaged in the flood.

It said that a helicopter had been arranged for the swift rescue operation. “Rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the affectees are the top priority, the district administration and the PDMA should carry out operation till the evacuation of last affectee,” the chief minister stressed.

However, there should be a joint relief and rescue operation with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Pak Army.The chief minister said an amount of Rs50 million had been released for the provision of flood and other necessary items to mitigate the suffering of the affectees.

He ordered accelerated efforts for distribution of relief goods and 500 tents in addition to blankets and other items among the flood affectees.The chief minister asked for a detailed report of the loss of precious human lives, injured person and damaged property. The government, he said, would prepare an overall recovery plan for all the losses and damage caused by the floods in Chitral.

However, he directed the officials engaged in the rescue operation and the provincial government officials to keep on a vigilant eye on the flood situation in the vulnerable areas and take preventive measures that will reduce damage, if flood continued in such areas.