CM seeks report on losses caused by rains, flash floods

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Tuesday directed the Relief and Rehabilitation Department, Hazara commissioner and other relevant officials to collect data on the losses caused by heavy rains and flash floods and submit a report.

He issued the directives after a six-member delegation of lawmakers from the Hazara Division led by KP Assembly Speaker Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani called on him, said an official handout.

The delegation included provincial cabinet members Akbar Ayub Khan, Qalandar Khan Lodhi, Member of National Assembly Ali Khan Jadoon, Member Provincial Assembly Nazir Abasi and a former provincial minister Yousaf Ayub. The legislators apprised him of the losses caused by flash floods due to heavy rainfall in Abbottabad district and its adjoining areas.

The delegation discussed with the chief minister matters related to the rehabilitation of various infrastructure damaged by flash floods and compensation to the affected people for their losses.

Issues related to the removal of encroachments in Abbottabad city also came under discussion.

Mahmood Khan said the affected people would be facilitated and compensated. He announced the reconstruction of the damaged Chamba Maira Bridge on an emergency basis.

The chief minister directed the officials concerned to take immediate steps for the rehabilitation of all access roads in the area in the shortest possible time.

Touching upon the issue of encroachments in Abbottabad city, he stated like other parts of the province, anti-encroachment drive would be carried out without any discrimination in Abbottabad city and all kinds of encroachments on roadsides, watercourses and other public places would be removed at all cost. The chief minister expressed grief and sorrow over the human losses due to heavy rains and flash floods in various parts of the province.

He expressed sympathies with the bereaved families and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls.

It may be mentioned here that flash floods caused by heavy rains on Monday played havoc in Manshera, Tor Ghar and Abbottabad along with other parts of the KP and elsewhere in the country. Four people lost lives in the calamity in the province.