Flood devastations: billions needed for rehabilitation in Chitral

CHITRAL, Aug 19: A sum of Rs1,256 million will be required for the rehabilitation of physical infrastructure and compensation for losses to life and property destroyed during the recent flash floods in Chitral. 

Unveiling the first damage assessment report compiled by the district disaster management unit here on Monday, Deputy Commissioner Chitral Mohammad Shoaib Jadoon said the flash floods have played havoc with the life and property of the people and washed away the infrastructure.

He said seven persons died while 80 houses were completely damaged and 136 were partially damaged during the flash floods while livestock also perished by the floods. Regarding the damages to the infrastructure, he said communication and irrigation were the sectors which were badly affected by the floods as 119 irrigation channels were washed away disconnecting the water supply to the crops and orchards.

He said that 38 jeep-able and pedestrian suspension bridges and 34 link roads of different valleys were swept away by the floods which needed immediate reconstruction for restoration of vehicular traffic. He said that 78 water supply schemes, 64 protection walls and four schools were also damaged by the floods.

As many as 23 percent of the standing crops and 6,454 fruit bearing trees were washed away by the floods while 21 micro-hydel power stations constructed by AKRSP were also damaged,” DC Chitral.

Regarding the interim relief provided by the district administration, he said that 115 non-food items and 145 food items were provided to the affected families while the NGOs including SRSP and Pakistan Red Crescent Society also provided relief goods to the affected. He said AKRSP and Aga Khan Housing Board will lend their financial and technical support in the rehabilitation of damaged power stations and water supply schemes. Mr. Jadoon said that the damage assessment report will be revised as the season of flash floods have yet to cease.–Zahiruddin