Govt asked to declare Chitral a calamity-hit district

CHITRAL, July 18: Prominent lawyer and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chitral leader Abdul Wali Khan Advocate on Saturday called upon the provincial government to declare Chitral as a calamity-hit district after widespread destructions were caused by the recent rains and floods across the valley.
Talking to ChitralToday, he said Chief Minister KP Pervez Khattak should immediately visit the flood-devastated valley to have a firsthand information about the destruction to public properties and infrastructures. He said so far the flood-affected areas have seen no government support as officials concerned have gone on Eid holidays leaving the people in the lurch.

The PTI leader said roads and bridges, hydro powerhouses and water channels in different parts of the valley had either been swept away or badly damaged, causing disruption in the already haggard communication system and the supply of electricity and drinking water to the citizens. He said the Chitral town was without water and power for over a week and the small, outdated powerhouse at Singoor was also at the risk of being washed away by the flooded river.

He said Shoghor fort and a bridge there were swept away by flood water while Orghoch village was also badly affected with damages to a mosque and scores of houses. The Broz village near Chitral also saw flood havoc that caused damages to private properties, including houses, agricultural crops and orchards.
The torrential rains and floods also wrecked havoc in the Kalash valleys where dozens of houses and roads and other infrastructure were damaged beyond repair and the residents were in dire need of relief and rehabilitation.
A bridge linking Kosht area with other parts on the left bank of the Mastuj river in Kuragh side was swept away and the main Chitral-Booni road is also closed there. The passengers are using the Shunjur Aan side to reach the Charun bridge and back.
The Murdan village in Garam Chashma is also badly affected after severe flooding in the local Gol. The floods also damaged a Jamat Khana and a mosque in that area. Floods in the Charun Gol and Kuragh Gol also caused widespread damages to standing crops, fruit trees and public and private buildings including a service station and two hotels.
Due to the lack of communication, reports of damages from remote and far-off villages could not be gathered. The only wireless loop telephone service in upper Chitral has also stopped working mainly due to the breakdown in power supply. In a majority of areas people are without drinking water and electricity as water channels have been damaged in the floods.