ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday arrived in Rahim Yar Khan to visit the flood-hit areas in the district.

While addressing a gathering in Chachran, PM Nawaz expressed satisfaction over measures taken by the local administration for rescue and relief work carried out in the flood-hit areas, said a report published on Radio Pakistan.

He also directed the administration to take precautionary measures in case of more rains in the district. He added that more helicopters and boats should be employed in case of emergencies during rescue operations.

PM Nawaz also visited a relief camp in Chachran where he was briefed by District Coordination Officer Rahim Yar Khan Capt (retd) Muhammad Zafar Iqbal on the floods. The DCO informed PM Nawaz that 556,000 cusec water in River Indus is passing through the district due to which 66 mauzas of the area are under water.

He added that over 41,396 acres of crops have been affected while 34,715 locals have been rescued and taken to safe areas. Furthermore, he said 53,809 cattle have been vaccinated against the spread of waterborne diseases.

The premier also inspected the medical facilities provided to those affected by the floods. He instructed that items of everyday use should be provided to the affectees. PM Nawaz added that all resources should be mobilised to provide relief to the people and no negligence on the part of any official in this regard will be tolerated.

Later, PM Nawaz also addressed a public gathering accompanied by Punjab Chief Secretary Khizar Hayyat Gondal along with Commissioner Rahim Yar Khan. MNAs Shaikh Fayyazuddin, Mr Arshad Laghari and Ms Maiza Hameed were also present on the occasion.

The premier was informed that 21 flood relief camps have been set up in the district to cater to the needs of 56,000 affected people. He was further briefed about the vulnerable areas in the district and measures that have been taken to control erosion of embankments by reinforcing existing structures.

One person was killed in a rain-related incident in Peshawar as heavy downpour lashed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal areas yesterday, officials said.

Take a look: Torrential rain sets alarm bells ringing in KP low lying areas

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has put all departments and agencies concerned on high alert in Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera and others districts, following surge in water level in different tributaries of the Kabul River and streams.

Pakistan military continues rescue and relief operations

According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Friday, the army continues with its rescue and relief efforts in Chitral and other parts of the country.

The ISPR statement stated that the Pakistan Army has distributed 17.5 tons of food ration and army helicopters have rescued 164 people from the affected areas of Rambur, Kurgh, Birri, Bumboret and Chashma.

Army Corps of Engineers have also repaired N-45, which is now open till Chitral to all kinds of traffic, whereas the road onwards from Chitral and Buni is open to light traffic.

Roads connecting Chitral with Bubmoret and the road between Buni and Masting are being repaired by army engineers.

In Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), 40 kilometres of roads in district Astore have been repaired and restoration of roads in Hunza, Skardu, Khaplu and Ghanche districts is in progress, according to the ISPR statement.

Further, four relief and medical camps have been established by the Pakistan Army in Shiger, Khaplu and Hunza districts. Tents and cooked food has been provided to flood affectees present in the relief camps.

The ISPR statement added that cooked food was also provided to over 2,000 families in Waziristan and Shigar districts. Relief goods have also been provided to the people of Hisper and Hunza districts.

In south Punjab, 71 people were rescued from Dera Ghazi Khan district by Pakistan Army. Two relief camps have also been established in Rajanpur and Layyah districts according to the ISPR statement.

Army troops in collaboration with the civil administration of affected districts have evacuated 13,893 people from Rahim Yar Khan, Sadiqabad, Khanpur and Liaquatpur districts in the last two days.

PM Nawaz on Wednesday had announced Rs 500 million aid package for the flood affected people in Chitral during a visit of the region where 300,000 people have been affected by flash floods which followed torrential rains in the region.

Read: PM announces Rs500mn aid, ZTBL loan write-offs during Chitral visit

PM Nawaz also directed for opening of more branches of utility stores to ensure continuous supply of food items to people of Chitral.

In the past week, at least six people died in Azad Jammu and Kashmir as flash floods triggered by torrential rain inundated large swathes in the country. At least three were reported dead due to heavy rains in Rawalpindi.

Read more: Rain heightens flood threat