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Provincial Minister visits Flood effected area

By Zahiruddin

CHITRAL: Provincial minister of population welfare Salim Khan said that the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) must be strengthened to enable it to respond effectively to the natural calamities and basic heavy machinery must be made available for such occasions.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, he said that the district disaster management plan devised by the DDMA is quite a piece of paper till it is provided with resources and equipped with necessary gadgets. Mr. Khan reiterated that due to its peculiar geographic position, Chitral needs extra-ordinary attention to meet natural hazards and mitigate the suffering of the peole. He announced one lakh rupees each to the heirs of deceased, 50 thousand rupees to the injured and 25 thousand rupees to those whose houses have been damaged completely. He said that the amount is quite petty and will not suffice to cater to the needs of the affected and he will approach the federal government for additional relief amount. He extolled the Chitral DCO for his prompt and timely action after the incident. He also announced to provide one million rupees for the restoration of water supply scheme of the village and 0.5 million for the reconstruction of a mosque washed away by the flood.
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Search of dead bodies of Ochusht flood victims continued for the second day

By Our Correspondent

CHITRAL: The dead bodies of the six persons buried under the debris of the flash flood in Ochusht village could not be retrieved after daylong excavation and search work on Saturday. The villagers complained that only one excavator machine was employed in the one-and-half kilometer long area to clear the debris of the houses washed away by the flash flood. Work was stopped on the site in the afternoon as the lone excavator developed technical fault. Water supply and electricity were partially restored on Saturday to the affected people. A number of organizations and political parties provided relief to the affected people both in kind and cash. Colonel (retired) of the village Sardar Muhammad told this scribe that Shahzada Mohyuddin distributed different paraphernalia of daily use among the affected people on behalf of Sarhad Rural Support Programme, Shahzada Sikandar presented a cash donation of 5 lakh rupees on behalf of Al-Burhan conservation society and Haji Sultan Muhammad of Tahrik Insaf party presented 1.5 lakh rupees. He also mentioned the distribution of daily use items on behalf of Trociare organization.