CHITRAL, Pakistan: As a new spate of flash floods caused by torrential rains struck Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chitral district last night, at least 19 persons were killed while more than a dozen including women and children were reportedly missing.
The official sources said that the latest casualties took place in Mulkhow area of Chitral where 11 dead bodies have so far been recovered.
The sources said that efforts are underway to recover the remaining dead bodies from River Chitral. They said that the flood also destroyed more than 40 houses.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has confirmed that so far 29 persons have lost their lives since torrential rains and flooding began in the affected district.
The PDMA said that casualties have happened in areas including Mulkhow, Saht, Uthol, Broze, Gohkir, Lone, Reshun, Ayun, Hingel, Green Lasht and Warinj.
The fresh flash floods also caused damage to several shops, hospitals, bridges and government installations in the district.
On July 22, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Chitral to review the relief operation, and on the occasion announced that all available resources will be utilized for relief and rehabilitation of rain and flood affected people.
The prime minister announced that the federal government will provide Rs500 million for relief activities in flood-hit Chitral district. He also announced that agricultural loans in Chitral have been waived off as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has declared Chitral as a calamity-hit area.
