CHITRAL; Over 50pc of people affected by the recent heavy snowfall have been left out of the damage assessment survey for payment of compensation by the government, it has been learnt.
People in both Upper and Lower Chitral have demanded the government order a fresh assessment of damages to houses, crops and orchards by the unprecedented snowfall. A few days ago, the federal government paid compensation to 28 families in Lower Chitral and 17 families in Upper Chitral whose houses were fully or partially damaged.
Talking to reporters here, PPP Upper Chitral president Amirullah Khan, however, said the three-day heavy snowfall from March 1 devastated houses and fruit orchards in Chitral but more than half of the affected persons were not included in damage assessment survey. He said during the initial round of assessment, a large number of areas were not approachable for the field staff as a result of which many affected people were not included in the list to get compensation.
Mr Khan said internet connectivity was mandatory at an affected place for its geographical positioning and unfortunately most of the areas were without electricity and their damage could not be brought into the notice of quarters concerned.
He appreciated the scientific method of damage assessment but regretted that owing to absence of sound internet connectivity it was not possible. He said that the unusual snowfall in the area would render people more poor and indigent than before if they were not properly compensated by the government for which re-assessment of the whole area was inevitable.