Gilgit:
As storming rain continues to beat Gilgit Baltistan, chief minister Haji was yellow-bardon Khan on Saturday and called on the federal government to step in with a RS6 relief package to 7 billion to start rebuilding the region’s battered infrastructure.
With much of the region back hanging by a thread, he urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit the flooding areas in person to assess the situation on earth. He added that the extent of destruction had left the province stretched beyond its economic boundaries.
By tackling a press conference on Saturday, GB cm shared yellow bar Khan the gloomy details of the disaster and made an urgent appeal for immediate federal assistance.
He said that the widespread flood has thrown everyday life into disarray, leaving a trace of destruction across several districts.
During his visit to the disaster-affected areas of Thak, Niat, Khanda and Thor in Diamer district, the minister of chief declared them unhappy hit zones.
Helping operations are currently underway where tents, food supplies and other significant are distributed to the displaced population. He also urged NGOs to join forces with the government in the ongoing rehabilitation effort.
According to the chief minister, Flash floods have triggered by severe rainfall seriously affected six to seven districts, with flood water that floods streams of Thak, resulting in extensive damage to homes and paralyzing electricity and water supply systems.
So far, at least ten people have lost their lives, while four others have been injured. Deluge has swept away about 300 homes completely, while over 200 others have caused partial damage.
The most important roads have been made unacceptable, including 8 to 9 kilometers of Karakoram Highway, with a total of almost 20 kilometers hit road infrastructure. In addition, 30 to 40 water channels have also been destroyed, which puts together the crisis for the local communities.
KKH opened again
Meanwhile, Karakoram Highway (KKH) was reopened on Saturday when help and rescue operations were pressed on in GB following the trail of destruction left by flash floods.
In a statement, the GB government spokesman Faizullah Faraq confirmed: “The Karakoram -motorway is open to all types of traffic”.
He noted that the vital artery had been blocked by landslides and mud currents on Friday, but the fast installation of heavy machinery helped restore the road.
Faraq said the rescue and search efforts were in full swing throughout the region, which has borne brown of the destruction, especially in the Kunduz region and the Ghande district.
“Foods in GB have destroyed many houses, water channels, communication paths, standing crops, shops and electricity bars,” he said.
The official added that the local administration had jumped into action and distributed “hundreds of tents, thousands of lunches and medicine for the affected people” over the flood areas.
When he talked about the Babusar search operation, Faraq said there may be 10 to 12 missing tourists in Babusar Valley when a search operation was underway.
He said the Pakistani army, the GB scouts, rescue 1122 and local volunteers were all hands on the deck, despite running landslides and rising waters that threw a wrench into the works.
