Relief operations continue in flood-hit areas across Pakistan

Published July 28, 2015
A view of flood water in river Chenab at Chiniot Bridge. — INP
A view of flood water in river Chenab at Chiniot Bridge. — INP
Army officers inspect an area of road that was destroyed by a landslide and flooding in Chitral. —AFP/File
Army officers inspect an area of road that was destroyed by a landslide and flooding in Chitral. —AFP/File
Villagers arrive at high ground after travelling on a boat through a flooded area near Multan —AFP/File
Villagers arrive at high ground after travelling on a boat through a flooded area near Multan —AFP/File

Rescue and relief operations by civil administration and army contingents are under way in flood-hit areas across Pakistan, said a report published on Radio Pakistan on Tuesday.

Yesterday, The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had issued alerts to the government agencies concerned and provincial disaster management authorities (PDMAs) for a possible flood in River Indus and heavy rains in different parts of the country.

Read: NDMA issues flood alerts to provinces

More than 6,600 affectees in Chitral provided with treatment

The government in Gilgit-Balochistan has increased relief efforts for flood-affectees in Chitral. Ten water supply schemes that were damaged in the recent floods have also been reconstructed.

Meanwhile, water-borne diseases are rapidly spreading in Chitral as several areas remain inundated after heavy rains and floods. A report regarding the current situation has been sent to the director of General Health Services Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by District Health Officer (DHO) Israrullah.

According the report, since the past three days more than 6,600 people were provided with treatment in different health facilities in flood-hit areas of Chitral including 2,300 women and 1,500 children.

The DHO told DawnNews that more than eight mobile teams have been sent to various affected areas of the district. He added that shortage of necessary medicine is feared as the demand is high and arranging medicine from Peshawar takes time.

Israrullah added that arrangements for a spray in the flood-hit areas is under way, where accumulation of mud has resulted in diseases. The floods also damaged eight Health Units in different areas, he said.

Chitral Hospital's Child Specialist Gulzar Khan said that since the past three days, the number patients is increasing rapidly. He said that most reported cases are typhoid, diarrhea, malaria and gastro. Due to the polluted water, hepatitis is also spreading in flood-affected areas.

Israrullah said that his office is regularly in touch with concerned authorities in different areas. He said, arrangements have been made to provide medical help to flood-affected people in far-off areas.

Relief camps set up in seven districts of Punjab

Punjab's provincial cabinet committee has been directed by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to take all measure to protect the lives and properties of people in low-lying areas along rivers. He added that adequate stock of necessary medicine should be made available for victims in medical camps and additional boats to be sent to affected villages in south Punjab.

Three-time meals are also being provided by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PMDA) in Punjab to flood affectees in relief camps that have been set up in seven districts of Punjab.

Relief Commissioner Punjab Nadeem Ashraf reportedly said that 8,600 tents and 232 boats have been provided to district administrations for relief efforts. He added that livestock in flood-hit areas is also being vaccinated.

More than 500 villages in Sindh affected by rising flood water

Relief operations are also under way in Sindh's flood-hit areas of Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur, Kashmor and Ghotki. More than 500 villages in these districts have reportedly been submerged due to rising flood water in River Indus.

Help desk set up in KP to help flood affectees

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Director General PDMA Amir Afaaq informed that various organisations are making efforts to provide clean drinking water, shelter and health facilities to flood affectees. He added that the PDMA also established a help desk to efficiently cater to complaints of the affected people.

The Flood Forecasting Division said on Monday that River Indus was in high flood at Chashma and Kalabagh and in medium flood at Taunsa whereas the Met Office forecast heavy but scattered rains across Punjab and Kashmir for 24 hours with an interval on Wednesday and continuation of the wet weather from Thursday to Saturday.

Also read: High flood at Chashma, Kalabagh

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