Relief and rescue operations under way after rain, floods wreak havoc across country – Pakistan

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Rescue and relief operations were under way across Pakistan on Tuesday after heavy rain and snowfall wreaked havoc in parts of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Inclement weather has taken a toll on the country in the last few weeks. At least 40 people were killed in rain-related incidents in KP while hundreds lost their homes to floods in Balochistan. In GB, main arteries were blocked due to landslides.

The situation prompted provincial authorities to stay on high alert and deploy help to all the affected areas.

Today, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Gwadar — which was declared calamity-hit after torrential rains triggered massive floods in the city — and announced a compensation package for those affected by the deluge.

Flanked by Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and other officials, the newly elected premier interacted with locals and was given a briefing on the relief activities.

Speaking to the media later, PM Shehbaz said Rs0.75 million will be given to all those people whose houses were completely destroyed in the rain while Rs0.3m will be distributed for repairs of partially damaged homes.

“This amount will be distributed within the next four days with the help of the national and provincial disaster management authorities,” he said, adding that 7,000 ration bags will also be distributed in the flood-affected areas from tomorrow onwards.

The PM also announced Rs2m compensation for the citizens who lost their loved ones in the rain and Rs0.5m for those injured. “We cannot bring back these people but we can take care of their families,” he said.

“I took oath as the PM yesterday and came here today not to show off but to sympathise with you from the bottom of my heart and assure you that we are standing with you,” the premier added.

Meanwhile, Gwadar Development Authority Director General Dawood Khilji told Dawn.com that 80 per cent of rainwater in the city had been drained.

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