ast week, unusually heavy rains caused deaths and destruction across the country, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

On February 27, torrential rains hit coastal areas of Balochistan. The hardest-hit was Gwadar, where the continuous downpour flooded streets and bazaars. The swollen Basol River washed away the Makran Coastal Highway near Ormara.

The Balochistan Provincial Disaster Management Authority later stated that the rains had destroyed 97 houses. Another 200 houses partially damaged. Gwadar alone accounted for more than 85 destroyed homes and more than 175 damaged homes. Five people were reported killed in the province.

On March 5, a day after being sworn in, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited Gwadar and announced a relief package for the affected people. The federal government will pay Rs 2 million each to families that had lost a member and Rs 500,000 to the injured. Rs 750,000 will be paid for residents of the homes that had been destroyed. “This is not a favour. It’s the duty of the government. It is my duty as the prime minister,” the PM told the affected people.

“You are my brothers and sisters. I am here to assure you that the government will not abandon you. We are with you. How can I sit in Islamabad when you are homeless?” The PM distributed cheques and relief goods, including food items, blankets and water coolers, among the affected people. He praised the efforts of the personnel of the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, Coast Guards and the National and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities.

Reflecting on his previous government’s response to the 2022 floods, he recalled that the coalition government had distributed Rs 100 billion among the affected people across the country at the time. During a briefing by officials, the prime minister was informed that five people had been killed in the recent rain-related incidents across the province, though no casualty was reported from Gwadar.

The rain and heavy snowfall also wrought havoc in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “The devastating four-day spell across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa killed at least 40 people and injured 62 others, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Disaster Management Authority spokesperson said.

Most of the casualties were reported in Bajaur, Swat and Khyber districts, where houses collapsed amid land sliding. At least 27 of the deceased were children. At least eight women were killed in the province in rain-related incidents. According to the PDMA report, 635 houses and two schools were also damaged.

Most of the casualties were reported in Bajaur, Swat and Khyber districts, where many houses collapsed amid land sliding. At least 27 of the deceased were children. At least eight women were killed in the province in rain-related events. According to the PDMA report, 635 houses and two schools were also damaged.

Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur announced a relief package for the affected families. Following the chief minister’s directive, the Finance Department released Rs 39 million to the relief department for the affected people. Compensation payments have been disbursed in Bajaur, Swat, Khyber, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Mohmand, Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, Abbot Abad, Mansehra, Bannu and Lakki Marwat districts.

The provincial government paid Rs 1 million each to families of the deceased and Rs 300,000 each to the injured.

After Gwadar, Prime Minister Sharif visited Peshawar. He was given a briefing on the measures taken by the provincial administration, the NDMA and the National Highways Authority.

During his day-long official visit to Peshawar, he was received by Governor Haji Ghulam Ali. The PM chaired a meeting to assess the damage caused by the downpour. Highlighting Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change, Sharif acknowledged the devastating floods and rain damage in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He commended the efforts of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, the chief secretary, the district administrations and others involved in the rescue and rehabilitation operations. The prime minister was assured that compensation had been distributed among the injured and the families of the deceased. The PM also announced Rs 2 million each for the family of each deceased and Rs 500,000 each for the injured. He stated that the federal government stood with the affected people of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Governor Ghulam Ali thanked the PM for visiting Peshawar soon after taking charge of his office and for the timely financial assistance. He said Sharif had set an example by personally meeting the victims and sharing their grief.

Heavy snowfall in Chitral, Upper Dir and Swat suspended vehicular traffic. Many passengers were stranded for hours. The road over Lowari Top that connects Upper Dir and Chitral districts, received five feet of snow. Due to heavy snow, traffic remained suspended between Chitral and Upper Dir for a day.

Talking to The News on Sunday, Tahir Khan, a resident of Kumrat in Upper Dir, said the valley had received a heavy snowfall. “The snow damaged dozens of huts built for tourists in Kumrat. From Thal to Kumrat, the road is still closed for all kinds of vehicular traffic. The local community is facing problems on account of this closure,” Tahir Khan says.

Zahid Khan, the president of Swat Hotel Association, told TNS that Upper Swat had received heavy snow in the recent spell. “Up till Kalam the road is open for traffic, but the road leading to Mahodand in upper Swat, is closed due to heavy snowfall. It will open for vehicular traffic once the snow melts down,” Zahid Khan said.

The writer is a freelance multimedia journalist. He tweets @daudpasaney