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Flood washes a village near town, 13 died, 7 Bodies recovered from the debris

By Zahiruddin

CHITRAL: The dead bodies of only Seven persons out of thirteen could be recovered on Friday from the debris of the flash flood which had washed away twenty houses of Ochusht village in the outskirt of Chitral city on last night. Relief workers said that due to the high density of the wreckage, they experienced difficulties in the recovery of the bodies. The dead persons were identified as Jamil Ahmed (42), his wife (35), daughter Sabiha (16), daughter Ruma (9), Ghulam Zakirin, Ilyaas Khan (18), Shamsud Duha (25), Sonia (8), Nadir Khan (35) and Riaz Khan. Retired colonel Sardar Muhammad of the village told chitraltimes.com that the flash flood approached the village in such haste that no body could even think of saving himself. He said that never before the village had been hit by flood. He said that soon after the occurrence, the villagers started to rescue the people and saved as many as ten people from being washed away by the flood in front of him. He appreciated the efforts of district border police who rushed to the area headed by Chitral DCO within half-an-hour of the incident and launched rescue operations. He mentioned the prompt services of Focus Humanitarian Assistance of Aga Khan Foundation who rushed to the spot and provided search light from electric generator which facilitated greatly in searching and rescue operation. Medical superintendent of DHQ hospital Dr. Nazir Ahmed told this scribe that six persons have been admitted to the hospital in precarious condition while an emergence medical camp has been arranged in the village where medical aid is provided to the affected persons. He said that the villagers are being vaccinated to save them from the diseases which attack the people after such floods. Aga Khan Health Service has also arranged medical camp in the area. Talking to the local media persons on the spot, Chitral DCO Rahmatullah Wazir said that all necessary arrangements have been made to provide shelter to those who have been rendered homeless. He said that the chief minister has granted one million rupees to feed the affected persons and free kitchen has been established in the village. Al-Khidmat Foundation distributed water coolers, gas cylinders, beds and steel charpais among the affected persons. Meanwhile, a central leader of JUI based in Karachi, Qari Fazalullah has announced to provide free ration to the affected people for forty days. Talking to chitraltimes.com from Karachi through telephone, he said that the ration package will be a comprehensive one and will contain all necessary items. Meanwhile, former zilla nazim Maghfirat Shah criticized the government for its failure to convey necessary machinery to the spot to clear the debris. He said that the C&W department has utterly failed to open the roads for vehicular traffic and no effort has so far been made.