18 bodies of Chitral flood victims recovered so far: PDMA

Pak Army, Levies continue relief operation

PESHAWAR: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Tuesday that 11 bodies were still missing while the bodies of 18 people swept away by the flashfloods in Chitral have been recovered so far.

PDMA spokesperson Latifur Rehman said persistent relief activities in flood affected areas of Chitral were underway.

Meanwhile, officials in the district administration in Chitral said 29 persons had been declared dead among whom 11 bodies were yet to be found.

They vowed to continue rescue operation until last body was recovered.

Relief activities are still going on as necessary food and non-food items were distributed among the 50 affected families from Ursoon village.

Moreover, PDMA has already provided 500 tents, 100 kitchen sets, 1000 hampers and 1200 blankets have been dispatched for the affected areas to district administration Chitral, said the official.

The Irrigation Department has been given the task to dismantle the artificial damming on Chitral River. In addition, Rs5 million relief funds have been released to the deputy commissioner Chitral to assist in urgent relief activities.

Latifur Rehman said as per the weather advisory received from the Met Office, more monsoon rains were expected in Malakand and Hazara divisions during the next 24 to 48 hours.

The PDMA issued a red alert to district administration Malakand and Hazara division.

He said the PDMA control room would be functional during Eid holydays and special duties have been assigned to the officials.

INP adds from Chitral: Relief operation is in full swing in the rain and flood affected areas of Drosh in district Chitral on Tuesday and Pakistan Army and Levies forces personnel are engaged in relief operation beside administration.

According to Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pak Army helicopter has airlifted the injured people to Chitral. The provincial government has provided three hundred and fifty tents, two hundred quilts and kitchen sets to district administration Chitral for distribution among the affected families. Five million rupees have also been provided for purchase relief items for the affected people.

The flood devastation continued in Chitral while 29 people have been confirmed dead by administration whereas Pakistan Army and Levies forces personnel are engaged in relief operation beside administration.

Meanwhile under the directives of the Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif the provincial government has sent ten trucks of relief goods for the assistance of the flood affected people of the Chitral valley, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The consignment consists of tents, blankets, medicines, one hundred food hampers and other articles of relief.