Shangla awaits power supply & infrastructure restoration

ALPURI: The recent floods triggered by torrential rains and cloudburst in Shangla have caused huge destruction to infrastructure and electricity supply system , local hydropower stations, plunging a large part of the district into darkness.

Even after five days, full restoration of power supply has not been completed. More than 35 transmission line towers from Alpuri to Raniyal and Puran have been washed away by floodwaters, while dozens of transformers and tower-mounted equipment have also been damaged.

Local hydropower plants built on rivers in Alpuri, Ghorband and other areas lost their water channels and generators in the floods, leaving the valley almost without power.According to Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) officials, electricity supply to Alpuri district headquarters and nearby areas was restored the day after the floods, but work was still underway to reconnect Koz Ghorband, Raniyal, Kana, Puran and other valleys. However, they said, blocked roads in the affected regions were hampering restoration work.

Meanwhile, welfare organizations and volunteers are actively engaged in relief efforts across flood-hit Shangla.Traffic on Puran Road was restored while the Dandai-Chakesar-Puran road was also reopened by the construction company. Work continues to fully restore the main Yakh Tangi road that connects Puran with Alpuri and other districts.

Relief goods arriving from different areas were being distributed among victims.According to the Rescue 1122 spokesperson, the search for missing persons was still going on.The Health Department teams, rescue workers, and volunteers have jointly set up medical camps in different locations, where hundreds of affected people are being treated daily and provided with medicines.