Quake victims struggling to cope with situation in Swat

MINGORA: As the affectees are struggling to cope with post-earthquake situation amid increasing cold and not-so-prompt relief help, an aftershock of 4.6 magnitude was felt in Swat district that spread fresh wave of fear.
The district administration said that 509 houses were destroyed while 4,107 others were damaged in the district in the devastating earthquake.However, independent estimates suggested that more than 9,000 houses were damaged while more than 1,000 were destroyed. More than 5,000 shops were also damaged in the earthquake while 1000 cattle heads were killed.
Deputy Commissioner Mehmood Aslam said that the Kalam Road had been reopened. He said the administration had Rs100 million funds for relief activities.He added that the death toll from the earthquake in the district reached 36 while more than 1000 houses were destroyed.
Dr Khalid Mehmood Khalid, naib nazim, Saidu Sharif Union Council, said that the damage assessment process was in progress and the losses could be higher. He asked the government to declare Swat district as calamity-hit.
Several government schools and colleges, including Government Jehanzeb College and Girls Degree College, Saidu Sharif, were also damaged in the earthquake. Principal of the Girls Degree College Talat Qamar told The News that three blocks of the college were damaged. She said that the district administration had been informed of the situation.
Mehmood Aslam said that Communication and Works Department had been asked to prepare a report about the damage to the college structure.The Pakistan Army established 50 relief camps in various areas and had distributed 30 tonnes ration among the affected families. The affected families have been asked to contact the control room for getting relief items.