Gilgit:
While the torrential rains continue to beat Gilgit-Baltistan, the chief minister Haji Gulbar Khan sounded on Saturday, urging the federal government to intervene with a relief package of 6 billion rupees to start rebuilding the battered infrastructure of the region.
With a large part of the region suspended by a thread, he urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to personally visit the areas affected by the floods to assess the situation on the ground. He added that the extent of the devastation had left the province extended beyond its financial limits.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, GB CM Gulbar Khan shared the dark details of the disaster and launched an urgent appeal for immediate federal aid.
He said the widespread floods had launched daily life in disarray, leaving a trace of destruction in several districts.
During his visit to the areas struck by the disasters of Thak, Niat, Khanda and Thor in the Diammer district, the chief minister declared them of the zones struck with calamity.
Rescue operations are currently underway, with tents, food supplies and other essential elements distributed to the displaced population. He also called on NGOs to associate with the government in the current rehabilitation efforts.
According to the chief minister, the sudden floods triggered by heavy showers have seriously had an impact on six to seven districts, flood waters flooding the streams of Thak, resulting in significant damage to houses and paralyzing electricity and water supply systems.
So far, at least ten people have lost their lives, while four others have been injured. The deluge completely swept around 300 houses, while more than 200 others have undergone partial damage.
Key roads have been made impassable, including 8 to 9 kilometers from the Karakoram motorway, with a total of almost 20 kilometers of affected road infrastructure. In addition, 30 to 40 water channels have also been destroyed, aggravating the crisis of local communities.
KKH reopened
Meanwhile, the Karakoram motorway (KKH) was reopened on Saturday while the assistance and rescue operations continued in GB after the destruction track left by the sudden floods.
In a statement, GB government spokesperson, Faizullah Faraq, confirmed: “The Karakoram motorway is open to all types of traffic”.
He noted that the vital artery had been blocked by landslides and mud flows on Friday, but the rapid deployment of heavy machines helped restore the road.
Faraq said that rescue and research efforts were in full swing in the region, which has brought the weight of devastation, especially in the Kunduz region and the Ghanche district.
“GB’s floods have destroyed many houses, water canals, communication roads, standing crops, stores and electric posts,” he said.
The manager added that the local administration had entered action, distributing “hundreds of tents, thousands of food packages and drugs to affected people” in the areas affected by floods.
Speaking about the Babusar research operation, Faraq said there could be 10 to 12 missing tourists in the Babusar valley, because a research operation was underway.
He said that the Pakistani army, GB scouts, 1122 rescue and local volunteers were all hands on the bridge, despite the landslides in progress and rising waters throwing a key in preparation.
