Official says relief operations conclude in flood-hit areas

MINGORA: Malakand Division Commissioner Abid Wazir on Saturday said that most of the relief and cleanup operations in flood-hit areas had been completed.

He added that compensation for losses would soon be provided to the victims in line with the provincial government’s policy. He expressed these views during a media

briefing held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Swat.

Swat Deputy Commissioner Saleem Jan Marwat, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Mohibullah Khan Yousafzai, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Finance and Planning) Syed Nauman Ali Shah, and Additional Deputy Commissioner (Relief and Human Rights) Naimatullah Khan attended the briefing.

Responding to questions from reporters, the commissioner said the devastating floods left 321 people dead and 166 injured.

He said that over 3,000 houses, 280 government buildings, 1,400 shops, and 63,000 acres of farmland were damaged by the floods triggered by cloudbursts.

The official said that around 6,000 livestock were also killed. He said that families of the deceased had already received compensation cheques worth Rs2 million each from the provincial government.

He said that a comprehensive survey was underway to assess the damage caused to houses, farmlands, and livestock so that further compensation could be provided.

According to the commissioner, Buner district was the worst affected, suffering heavy human and material losses. He noted that the Pakistan Army, district administration, and other institutions actively supported the rescue operations in Buner.

Wazir said roads in the affected areas had been reopened, 90 percent of electricity supply had been restored, and clean water was being provided through tankers. “Our biggest challenge now is to make damaged houses in Mingora and Buner livable again,” he said.

The commissioner said that the administration, in collaboration with various departments and relief organizations, was working to help rehabilitate the affected communities.

He thanked the media, welfare organizations, volunteers, and particularly members of the Tableeghi Jamaat for their cooperation during this difficult time.