BUNER, (NADER KHAN): The devastating cloud burst and heavy flood have not only caused huge human losses in the history of Buner, but they have also deprived the people of their hard-earned residential infrastructure, while the losses reported by the officials are less than the actual figures and will need billions of rupees for rehabilitation instead of the proposed 150 million rupees.
Dr Siraj Kamal, a social activist, told media persons that it was the largest human loss in the history of Buner, and the destruction is beyond their imagination. He said that 90 per cent population and the entire infrastructure of Beshoni village have been swept away by the flash flood, and a large number of people are still missing in the debris and muddy surface. He said that heavy machinery was needed to reopen the roads and restore the communication system for the rescue of the injured people.
“Releasing 150 million rupees for the affected people of Buner is a drop in the ocean, and it only reconstructs five houses in the entire district. The Chief Minister should announce a comprehensive package for the affected families and declare the area the worst-affected cloud burst zone,” Local elders said.
He demanded that the government declare the area a calamity-hit area and release huge funds for the reconstruction and rehabilitation process of the affected areas, including Beshoni, Pirbaba, Gookand and other areas.
Siar Khan, an emergency medical practitioner in Daggar Hospital, said that a total of 266 people have died only in Buner, while some of the dead bodies are still missing in floodwater. He said that there is a severe shortage of medicines and beds in the hospital, and most of the victims are being treated in private medical facilities and halls.
Muhammad Akhtar, Spokesman Falahi Tanzeeb Bagra, told Pakhtun Digital that their volunteers are still busy searching for the missing persons from Gookand, Kot and Kalil areas. He said that the flood has wreaked havoc in Buner, which will need years to rehabilitate to its old position.
He said that the people of Beshoni village need urgent government attention, as the entire village was swept away by flood water, and a total of 213 people have been martyred only in Buner. The PDMA reports only those figures which are present in the hospital, while the missing figures are not included in these figures.
PDMA releases initial report on loss of life and property in various districts of the province due to rains and flash floods. So far, 332 people have died and hundreds have been injured in various accidents due to rain and flash floods during the last 48 hours in KP.
The dead include 184 men, 14 women and 12 children, while the injured include 18 men, 2 women and 1 child. According to the report so far, a total of 68 houses were damaged due to rain and flash floods. In which 61 houses were partially destroyed and 07 houses were destroyed; however detailed survey will be needed for total data.
Buner is the most affected district due to heavy rains and flash floods, as heavy casualties have been reported in Buner. On the special instructions of the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, relief funds have been released for the districts affected by rains and flash floods.
A total of Rs. 500 million has been released for the districts most affected by floods. Rs. 150 million has been released for the Buner district affected by rains and flash floods, Rs. 100 million each for the Bajaur, Battagram and Mansehra districts and Rs. 50 million for Swat.
On the special instructions of the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, all the concerned institutions have been directed to intensify relief activities. PDMA relief teams and district administrations are in full communication with each other, and the situation is being monitored. PDMA had already sent a letter to all district administrations to take precautionary measures given the weather situation. PDMA
PDMA has been directed to intensify relief activities in all affected districts and provide immediate relief to the victims. All relevant agencies have been directed to utilise all resources for the restoration of closed highways and connecting roads at tourist destinations.
All tourists have been directed to be informed about the weather situation and to take precautionary measures. PDMA’s Emergency Operation Centre is fully functional. The public can report any untoward incident, weather situation.
Read also: Buner declared most flood-affected district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
