Floods kill 43 in Chitral

CHITRAL: Rescue and relief activities were launched here on Sunday after devastating floods overnight caused by torrential rains killed 43 people in the Ursoon village in Drosh Tehsil.

The rains started late on Saturday and subsequently floodwater swept away a mosque, several houses and an army post in the remote village of Ursoon situated in Chitral on the border with Afghanistan, officials said.

Forty-three people were killed in the village and at least eight of the dead were soldiers. About 37 houses were destroyed and 48 partially damaged by the flood. It was learnt that many of the victims were offering the night-time Taraweeh prayers in the mosque when they were swept away by the floodwater.

According to the local police, the deceased army men included Havaldar Azizullah, Havaldar Sajjad Haider, Naik Altaf and Naik Younas Khan and Sepoy Abdul Wahid, Sepoy Salim Taj, Sepoy Abdullah and Sepoy Basit.

Some of the civilians who lost their lives were identified as Muhammad Tahir, son of Abdul Ahad, Sher Muhammad, son of Muhammad Tahir, daughter of Muhammad Tahir, Baleeghur Rehman, son of Muhammad Shareef, mother of Baleeghur Rehman, son of Baleeghur Rehman, Ameena, wife of Usman, Zahid, Subhanuddin, Imran and Madni children of Usman, Abdur Razzaq, son of Haji Muhammad, Abdul Lateef son of Abdur Razzaq, Zakirullah son of Azizullah, Haleemullah, Muhib and Naeem, all sons of Gul Zareen, Abdus Salam and Ziaul Haq, both sons of Gul Muhammad, Noor Muhammad, son of Noor Islam, and Shafeeq, son of Saeed Muhammad. Some of the dead were from one family.

So many deaths caused widespread mourning in the village and the surrounding areas. The flood victims were airlifted by army helicopters to the Chitral Scouts Hospital in Chitral town. It was learnt that Major General Asif Ghafoor, Commander Swat Division, was on his way to Chitral.

The floodwater coming from Ursoon also submerged a number of houses near the Shahi Qilla, the old fort. It subsequently also came under the floodwater.

Deputy Commissioner Osama Ahmed Warraich and District Nazim Maghfirat Shah visited the affected village to monitor relief activities. The workers of the Al-Khidmat Foundation also launched relief services in the village.

About 19 bodies were recovered from water till the filing of this report.Local sources said the residents of flood-hit Ursoon village were already facing problems as another flood a week ago had damaged their irrigation and water supply channels.

Osama Warraich, the deputy commissioner, said 28 people had gone missing after the floods. He said six bodies had been recovered so far, while it was assumed that the floodwater had taken most of the bodies to Afghanistan.

“The government has announced a compensation package of Rs300,000 for each of the deceased. It has also announced compensation packages for those whose houses have been damaged. We have set up a medical camp and will be giving food to the whole village for a week. We have given 5,000 feet pipe to the villagers for water supply and irrigation channel restoration,” he said.

The district nazim said that rescuers were facing difficulties as all the routes to the area were blocked after the floods.It added that a military-led rescue and relief operation was now underway with helicopters being used to reach the affected people and provide them with food and medicines.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said that 82 houses were affected by the floodwater. It said efforts were underway to provide food and relief items to the villagers. It put the death toll at 29.

The district administration of Chitral was directed by the provincial government to utilise the relief funds in the wake of flash floods in the Ursoon Valley for the purchase of food items.APP adds: Troops of the Pakistan Army are engaged in carrying out relief and rescue activities in Chitral.

The ISPR said besides providing relief and rescue assistance, the troops also evacuated some injured for medical treatment while the marooned people were given away edibles to ensure their survival and sustenance. The troops also had provided tents and medical aid to affected people.

The Lama helicopter of the Army made five trips from Chitral to Ursoon village and evacuated injured besides carrying ration. Search operation for the missing persons was also in progress.Meanwhile, the PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed deep grief over the loss of human lives and properties in rainstorm and flash floods in Chitral and other parts of KP.In a statement, he urged the authorities concerned and PPP workers to extend required help to the affected people immediately.