Tuesday saw the start of rescue and relief efforts throughout Pakistan as a result of the severe rain and snowfall that devastated areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The last several weeks have seen a toll from unfavorable weather around the nation. In KP, rain-related tragedies claimed the lives of at least 40 people, while in Balochistan, floods caused hundreds of homes to be destroyed. Landslides in GB caused blockages in the major arteries.
Provincial officials were forced by the circumstances to maintain a state of high alert and provide assistance to all impacted districts.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Gwadar today and unveiled a compensation plan for families impacted by the flooding. Gwadar was declared a catastrophe after heavy rains caused significant flooding in the city.
Surrounded by officials, including Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti of Balochistan, the recently elected leader engaged with the community and received an update on the relief efforts.
Later, in an interview with the media, Prime Minister Shehbaz said that Rs0.3 million would be allocated for the repair of partially damaged homes and Rs0.75 million would be granted to all those whose homes were totally devastated by the rain.
“With the assistance of the national and provincial disaster management authorities, this amount will be distributed within the next four days,” he stated. He also mentioned that starting tomorrow, 7,000 ration packs will be delivered in the districts devastated by flooding.
Additionally, the PM promised compensation of Rs. 2 million for residents who lost loved ones in the rain and Rs. 0.5 million for those who were hurt. He remarked, “We can take care of their families, but we cannot bring these people back.”
“I came here today not to show off, but to sympathize with you from the bottom of my heart and assure you that we are standing with you,” the prime minister continued, after taking an oath of office as PM yesterday.
Eighty percent of the city’s rainwater has already been drained, according to Dawood Khilji, director general of the Gwadar Development Authority.
Situation of KPK
However, the number of rain-related deaths in KP increased to 40. The PDMA reports that 555 houses reported partial damage, 80 residences had complete damage, and 62 individuals were injured.
It said that throughout the protracted period, nine animals also died and that landslides had destroyed more than twenty government facilities.
Relief supplies including tents, food, and blankets have been given to the affected families in 14 districts around KP, according to PDMA spokesperson Taimoor Khan.
He claimed that the districts of Bajaur, Mohmand, and Dir had the most reports of rain-related incidents.
Separately, Diamer Deputy Commissioner Capt (retd) Muhammad Arif declared that the Karakoram Highway was closed near Kohistan and has reopened for traffic following a four-day closure.
Shortage of fuel in Gilgit Baltistan
A spokesman for the GB administration, Faizullah Faraq, told that the lack of petroleum products in the area has had a serious impact on transportation.
He said that there was a major shortage of petroleum supplies in several regions, including Gilgit, as a result of the Karakoram Highway’s five-day suspension.
The closing of KKH, according to locals, caused a 20–25% spike in the cost of fruits and vegetables in Great Britain. The closing of the main route linking the area with the rest of the nation, according to fruit shop owner Naeemullah, is the primary cause of the price increase.
Rain is expected to continue
The Pakistan Meteorological Department stated that a westerly wave was expected to reach Balochistan today and that “continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country.”
The Met Office stated in its daily weather forecast that although extremely cold temperatures were reported in the upper regions, dry weather continued to be seen across much of the nation.
Lowest temperatures of the day were noted in Kalam, Astore, Skardu, Kalat, Dir, Malam Jabba, Chitral, Murree, and Mirkhani, it continued.
According to the PMD, 16 districts of Balochistan—Khuzdar, Nokundi, Turbat, Chagai, Panjgur, Washuk, Dalbandin, Kharan, and Gwadar—are probably going to be impacted by the current period.
In the meantime, forecasts for Chaman, Pasni, Quetta, Kalat, Ziarat, Zhob, and Kila Saifullah indicated minor snowfall on mountain tops.
