Chitral village facing shortage of food, medicines

CHITRAL: The residents in far-off Broghil village are facing shortage of food items as the road leading to the valley has been washed away by gushing river, a representative said on Saturday.

Talking to reporters, Amin Jan, nazim of Broghil village council, said the water level was on the rise in river due to fast melting of Chinatar glacier, which has destroyed the road.

He said the destruction of the road has disrupted land communication to the area which, he said, resulted in suspension of supply of food and other essential commodities to the area.

The resident said the valley had run out of medicines and is facing shortage of food items. He said a woman died there due to non-availability of medicines.

He said the district Health Department had taken no step to tackle the situation.

The resident said the fast moving water in the streams and river was damaging the roads and posing a threat to the host community. He said several cattle had been killed in the flashfloods.

He said the Broghil is a picturesque valley and home to various lakes and glaciers.

The resident lamented that the successive governments ignored the valley in terms of development and the people were lacking basic amenities of life.

He asked the federal government to send medicines and arrange for provision of foods items for the people trapped in Broghil and restore the road to avert a looming human tragedy.

Meanwhile, the district administration issued an alert to the residents of high risk areas about likely flashfloods. It advised the people to stay away from streams and rivers as they can overflow anytime due fast milting of glaciers. Announcements have been made through loudspeakers in mosques to sensitise the people.